Monfils triumphs in Rotterdam

Gael Monfils wins a surprising title in Rotterdam after beating Stan Wawrinka in a very entertaining final.

The match

Gael started strong immediately to win the opening set 6-3 after breaking Wawrinka twice. Things got weird for the Frenchman in the second set as he had to deal in no time with a 4-0 deficit before losing 6-1. At that point, it seemed that Monfils was struggling with an injury or some physical distress, but the Frenchman “resuscitated” in the 3rd set to play magnificent tennis. Eventually, Gael won 6-3 1-6 6-2 in 1 hour and 44 minutes.

Highlights: Monfils Beats Wawrinka In Rotterdam 2019

Monfils about his friendship with Wawrinka

After the match, Gael commented

“We have been practicing all winter together, and really for the past 14 years too. In these matches, it’s tricky to surprise the other. I was a bit tougher than him in the third set and changed the rhythm, as I felt he was playing heavy in the second set and I felt like I couldn’t handle it. I had to break his momentum. I had to be more aggressive and sneak in some serve and volley tennis.

In the second set, I felt like I was pushing back physically and not striking cleanly. I was stressed and angry, but I had to think about it, and in the third game of the decider, I took my chance and gained energy.”

This was Gael’s 8th career title and the first one after January 2018 when he triumphed in Doha. Gael will now head to Marseille where he will face Vesely in the opener.

After this week, Monfils will go up 10 places in the rankings to be the new world no.23.