Monfils Uses Emotional Adrenaline To Slay Kei in Montreal

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Gael Monfils comes back from 6-7 2-5 down, then 3-5 in the 3rd and 2-6 in the 3rd set tiebreaker, beats Kei Nishikori 6-7(4), 7-5, 7-6(6) in Montreal second round.

Monfils had never beaten Nishikori before and had lost several super close third set tiebreakers to the Japanese ace.

But yesterday the rivalry changed in dramatic fashion. Monfils saved an incredible four straight match points for 6-6 and then a Nishikori forehand long and a Monfils inside in forehand winner finished the job.

From 2-6 down, Monfils played some magical tennis and expressed more animated emotion than I have ever seen from him. It was clearly the Frenchman experiencing entering the zone of playing unbeatable tennis. And it was Monfils utilizing his emotional adrenaline energy course.

Nishikori could no nothing about it, despite having the mental edge of having never lost a match to Monfils.

Last week in Washington at the Citi Open, before losing to Yuki Bhambri in three sets, Monfils talked about the belief that he still believes he will become a Grand Slam champion in what he termed is “the second half of his career.”

After seeing the new level of genius and the utilization of his vast emotional adrenaline reserves, Monfils has just entered the equation of potential ATP players who can win a major title in the next year or two or three. Yesterday’s incredible display against Nishikori was that impressive.

It was the type of win that can not only alter a draw or change a tournament…it was the type of win that can change Monfils’ career and his perception of himself.

 

[scoop]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

Monfils was 2-62 after losing the 1st set vs top10 players Nishikori was 95-1 after winning the 1st set v 21+

 

[TFBlogGuest]

Chazz writes:

He sure hit some big shots in that tiebreaker, but I felt it was an epic choke by Kei. He has had a really disappointing year.

 

[TFBlogGuest]

Andrew Miller writes:

Schwartzman ko's Donaldson. Next Gen meltdown here in the states.

 

[TFBlogGuest]

Andrew Miller writes:

Shapovalov can beat Nadal. Will he? Doubtful, Nadal has won the Montreal tournament and wants to decimate the next Gen on the court before patting them on the back at the net. Rough sport.

 

[TFBlogGuest]

Andrew Miller writes:

Safarova beating Makarova as if EMak stole something from her. Third set kibosh. Carolina Garcia shows Bellis the exit door. Wozniaki quietly continues to have a strong year.

 

[TFBlogGuest]

Andrew Miller writes:

Like with Pennetta, Safarova is a player I root for. I'd like to see her win a slam - if anything to show Berdych that he doesn't have a slam. Cruel but hey, if Berydch can get rejected by Lendl the least he can so is fall short while Safarova cleans up.

 

[TFBlogGuest]

Thomas Tung writes:

Andrew, Schwartzman is one of the smartest and canniest veteran players on tour (kind of a lesser version of David Goffin, if that makes sense) -- and I believe he has trained with Jared before (back when Donaldson was training in Argentina), so Diego is very familiar with Donaldson's game. No surprises there. If Denis the Menace can beat Nadal, that would be a huge confidence booster and upset, even more noteworthy than when Shapovalov took down an overconfident Kyrgios at this time last year. I have nothing against Nadal, but I'd like to see Denis pull off the upset.

 

[TFBlogGuest]

Thomas Tung writes:

The "fun fact" is that for all of Lendl's vaunted (or despised, depending on who you ask) "robotic" style of play, he actually had more variety of shot (and used it a lot more) than Berdych. Berdych's footwork is almost as good as Ivan's was, he hits the ball bigger, and his serve is better, but the lack of variety/some lack of mental toughness is the key factor. That having been said, Berdych's two matches with Federer at AO and SW19 this year were Slam-final worthy -- Tomas really gave it everything he had, but Roger was in full flight.

 

[TFBlogGuest]

Chazz writes:

Schwartzman is really good, in case you missed his win over Thiem the other night. He lost to Donaldson in a really close 3 setter in Eastbourne in late June. This one probably hurts Jared just because he bageled him in the 1st set. Side note: Fritz and Sandgren play against each other tomorrow in the Aptos challenger. Should be a great match.

 

[TFBlogGuest]

Andrew Miller writes:

Sandgren won his match then against MacMac! MacMac had a short flight and Sandgren traveled from coast to coast to make it to Aptos. I like Sandgren.

 

[TFBlogGuest]

Andrew Miller writes:

Thomas Tung, I'm all for canny players. I hold that when the young veterans and next Gen beat up on the canny vets, then we have something to talk about!

 

[TFBlogGuest]

Hartt writes:

As much as I am a Shapovalov fan, I think it would be a minor miracle for him to beat Rafa, given Fafa's current form. If Denis wins a few games I will be more than happy.

 

[TFBlogGuest]

catherine writes:

Looks like Wimbledon was a mirage for Angie. On way to a humiliating loss to Sloane S. I have a feeling she may be finished as an effective player. Something you never want to say about anyone but I can't see a way ahead for her, not from here.

 

[TFBlogGuest]

catherine writes:

I didn't see the match live but it looked from the scoreline like Angie just gave up. No fight at all. That's the worst bit. Simona steamrollered on. She'll win this. BTW is Federer actually growing a beard ?

 

[TFBlogGuest]

Hartt writes:

That stubble on Fed looks terrible. As someone said, it makes him look older (not to mention scruffy!)

 

[markowitz]

Dan Markowitz writes:

What happened to QBall today? Didn't see match. I guess the wheels came off with all the playing he's been doing and tough Tsonga match yesterday. KevAnd has surpassed all the Americans again, including possibly Izzie. Too bad he's only a transplanted American.

 

[TFBlogGuest]

Chazz writes:

Dan, QBall ran into a buzzsaw. Anderson is playing incredible tennis lately. He has rematch of last week's Washington final tomorrow, against Zverev. Shapovalov, wow! First full match I have seen of him and as others have said around here, the kid is amazing. I also really like his court demeanor, and it's good he isn't firing line drives at chair umpires any more. I would like to see him get through to the semis along with Zverev so they can square off. I bet those two will have many big matches against each other over the next 10-15 years.

 

[TFBlogGuest]

Hartt writes:

I am beyond speechless that Denis beat Rafa! He played the big points so well, did not get tentative.

 

[TFBlogGuest]

Chazz writes:

Kind of reminds me of Ostapenko in a way. Sometimes it's good to be young and fearless. His aggression paid off.