Inspired Gael Monfils stuns Carlos Alcaraz in Cincinnati

08/16/2024 09:44 PM

Last year's Cincinnati Masters finalist Carlos Alcaraz will not seek another deep run in Ohio! World no. 3 suffered a heavy 4-6, 7-6, 6-4 loss to Gael Monfils in the second round, losing points and moving further behind Jannik Sinner on the live ATP ranking list. Gael completed the win within two days, with two rivals leaving the court on Thursday night in the tie break of the second set due to the rain. They continued on Friday, and the veteran claimed the tie break 7-5, forcing a decider and gaining a boost. The Frenchman secured an early break in the final set, keeping it until the end and delivering his most notable win since Indian Wells 2022. Gael became the third-oldest player with a top-3 win since the start of the ATP Tour in 1990, joining Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer on the list. Carlos did not like the conditions on Center Court, calling them too fast in comparison to what he experienced while practicing on smaller ones. Monfils fired 15 aces and 12 double faults, struggling on the second serve but following Alcaraz's pace.

The Frenchman denied six out of seven break points and scored a single break from eight opportunities. Carlos did not lose serve in the opening two sets. He failed to seal the deal in the tie break and found himself on the exit door after giving serve once in the decider. They stayed neck and neck in the shortest and mid-range exchanges, with the young gun building a slight advantage in the most advanced rallies, although in vain. Gael fired 14 service winners more than Carlos, who had the edge from the baseline and at the net. The Spaniard presented 30 winners and 40 unforced errors, toppling the Frenchman's 29-48 ratio but still finishing on the losing side. The veteran started the duel with a hold at 30 after a service winner, and the young gun responded with a forced error in the next one for 1-1. Carlos stepped in on the return in the third game and fired a forehand down the line winner for two break chances. Gael hit a double fault on the first, losing serve and propelling his rival into an early lead.

Last year's finalist landed an ace in the fourth game, holding at love and forging a 3-1 lead after 11 minutes. The veteran held at love in the fifth game, and the 21-year-old mirrored that with a powerful serve in the next one for a 4-2 advantage. Gael fired a booming serve in the seventh game, remaining within one break deficit and hoping for a return chance. Instead, Carlos grabbed the eighth game at love and served for the opener at 5-4. The Spaniard generated three set points and squandered them, keeping his rival in contention. Alcaraz created the fourth and seized it after Monfils' loose forehand, wrapping up the opener in 32 minutes. Gael landed a service winner at the beginning of the second set and clinched the third with a volley winner at the net for 2-1. Carlos stayed in touch until 2-2 before experiencing issues behind the initial shot in game six. The Spaniard experienced four break points, three in a row after the Frenchman's forehand winner.

World no. 3 erased them with fine attacks and caused the rival's mistake on the fourth, surviving and bringing the game home with a service winner for 3-3. Alcaraz painted a forehand down the line winner in the ninth game, generating two break points and moving closer to the finish line. However, Monfils denied them with winners and landed an ace for a hold and a 5-4 lead. They served well in games ten and 11, with Carlos seeking another fine hold at 5-6. Gael attacked and drew Carlos' mistake for a set point. The Frenchman played a wayward drop shot, missing an opportunity and allowing the Spaniard to introduce a tie break. Monfils grabbed two mini-breaks for 3-0 before losing a point on his serve. The rain sent them off the court and terminated the night session, with two rivals continuing the following day. Carlos sprayed a forehand error for 2-4 and missed a routine forehand at 3-5, facing three set points.

The young gun saved two on his serve before the veteran converted the third with a powerful serve, introducing a decider after an hour and 31 minutes. The final set offered break chances in the opening four games, and Gael used his opportunity to forge the advantage. Carlos saved two break points in the first game and extended the next one before generating his chances. Alcaraz missed two break chances, which would cost him dearly. He netted a routine forehand in the next one, offering Monfils two break points. The veteran converted the first after the rival's loose backhand, moving 2-1 in front and closer to the finish line. Gael saved a break point in the fourth game to cement the advantage and terminated the eighth game with a service winner for 5-3. Carlos served to stay in the match in game nine and held at 30 after an extended exchange. Monfils served for the win at 5-4 and sealed the deal with a service winner, celebrating a notable win and moving into the third round.