Night session dilemma: Gael Monfils grapples with Carlos Alcaraz matchup

08/15/2024 07:15 PM

The veteran Gael Monfils will embrace his third duel against the four-time Major winner Carlos Alcaraz in the Cincinnati Masters second round. Gael has mixed feelings ahead of an exciting clash. The Frenchman is eager to test his game against the rivals from the top, but he would have wanted to play a bit easier rival at this stage of the tournament. Gael wants to build confidence while winning matches, and it will be a hard task against world no. 3. Carlos defeated Monfils in straight sets in their previous two duels. The young Spaniard will be the favorite in their Cincinnati clash, seeking the first ATP title since finishing runner-up at the Paris Olympics to Novak Djokovic. Carlos and Gael battled for the first time in the 2022 Indian Wells fourth round. An 18-year-old notched a 7-5, 6-1 victory in an hour and 17 minutes, taking charge from the closing stages of the opening set and sailing into his first Masters 1000 quarter-final.

The young gun landed in 70% of the first serve and gave away seven points in his games, mounting the pressure on the other side. Alcaraz brought 22 winners and 16 unforced errors, ousting Monfils in the more advanced exchanges and remaining on the title course. Carlos grabbed almost half of the return points, securing a late break in the opener and sealing the deal with three more in the set number two. Alcaraz clinched nine of the final ten games, becoming the youngest Indian Wells quarter-finalist. The Spaniard landed a forehand winner in the third game of the encounter, generating a break chance. The Frenchman saved it and held, avoiding an early setback. Carlos served well and created another break chance at 3-3. He sprayed it, keeping Gael on the positive side. Alcaraz served to stay in the set at 4-5 and landed a forehand winner for more drama. The young gun climbed back from 15-40 in the 11th game and converted a break chance with a drop shot winner that pushed him 6-5 in front.

Carlos wrapped up the opener with a service winner in game 12, gaining confidence ahead of the second. Alcaraz extended his streak and clinched a break in the first game of the second set with a drop shot winner. He stole Monfils' serve again in game three and closed the next one with an unreturned serve, rattling off seven games! Eager to seal the deal in style, Alcaraz grabbed another break at 5-1, moving into his first Masters 1000 quarter-final at 18. This March, two rivals battled for the second time in the third round in Miami. Carlos delivered a 6-2, 6-4 victory in an hour and 14 minutes. Gael hurt his right ankle in the fifth game of the first set. He struggled to follow Alcaraz's pace in the remaining ones but endured until the end, following a decent performance in set number two from 1-5. The Spaniard landed in 81% of the first serve and lost 14 points in nine service games. He lost serve once and grabbed half of the return points, turning them into four breaks that carried him home.

Monfils fought well in the mid-range and most advanced exchanges, and Alcaraz forged his triumph in the shortest rallies up to four strokes. They produced four fine holds before Carlos raised his level on the return at 2-2. Gael experienced an injury and lost serve at love, falling behind and finding himself 5-2 behind after another loose service game. The young gun served for the opener in the eighth game and closed it with a service winner for 6-2 after 32 minutes. Carlos secured another break early in the second set and held in the next one, rattling off six games. Alcaraz landed a forehand winner in the fifth game, notching another advantage and opening a 4-1 gap. Carlos served for the victory at 5-2 and played a loose game, getting broken after a forehand error. Monfils pulled one break back and held a few minutes later for 4-5, improving the scoreboard. Alcaraz served for the win for the second time in game ten and embraced a serve & volley combo, moving over the top and keeping his perfect record against Monfils. 

"It will be very tough against Carlos. We played two times, and I could not stand his way or push him. I have to find a way to challenge him more seriously. When you feel good on the court, facing Carlos is always nice. However, I want to win matches and gain confidence, and it's hard to do against him. We will play during the night session, which brings many unique moments. I want to improve my game, and a part of me looks forward to facing Carlos. However, the other part would have loved to face some easier opponent," Gael Monfils said.