Gael Monfils discussed his expectations for his 2024 Shanghai Masters matchup with Carlos Alcaraz in the fourth round. The Frenchman promised not to give the Spaniard an easy time despite downplaying his chances of winning.
Monfils travelled to Shanghai after a dissatisfying first-round loss in Beijing. But at the ATP Masters 1000 event, he seems to have found his form again.
The Frenchman defeated Damir Dzumhur in straight sets to begin his campaign. He then defeated fellow countryman Ugo Humbert and Sebastian Baez to set up a Round of 16 matchup with Alcaraz.
Following his victory over Humbert, Monfils spoke with reporters about his upcoming matchup with Alcaraz.
Monfils talked about facing Alcaraz and said: “No, no, I think he will beat me. He will crush me a hundred per cent, you know. I think I was just lucky, as I said. Last time I was very fortunate, and it was not a good match from him, and one of my good matches me. His level is unbelievable. I have also done great myself, but he’s, as I say, coming up legend. So, I guess he will crush me, but as I say, I will do everything to not be crushed too easy, in a way.”
He added: “But everything is a bonus, it’s a bonus, you know. It’s not like I come up on the court, of course, with the attitude, because I have the experience. But now I have the experience, and I can talk like for real, you know, this kid is something else. So, honestly, it’s going to be a 99 per cent chance for him, but to get a per cent, you know, so that’s why you go. I’m going to enjoy myself, but as a real man I tell you, no, this kid is something else.”
Monfils in Shanghai, ranking, and results in 2024
WLWWWLLWLW Ranked no.46, Gael has managed to achieve a composed 24-20 record in 2024. Gael is participating in Shanghai where he ousted the world no.96 Damir Dzumhur 6-4 6-3, the world no.26 Sebastian Baez 6-3 4-6 6-4 and the world no.15 Ugo Humbert 7-6(7) 2-6 6-1.
Monfils won 12 titles in his career: 3 on hard courts, 1 on clay courts and 8 on indoor courts. (See the list of his titles)
He is also scheduled to play in Vienna (Erste Bank Open) on the 21st of October and Paris (Rolex Paris Masters) on the 28th of October.
Alcaraz in Shanghai, ranking, and results in 2024
WLWLLWLWWW Now ranked no.2, Alcaraz has achieved a composed 50-9 record in 2024. The Spaniard is now having a run in Shanghai where he defeated Unknown Player bye, the world no.51 Juncheng Shang 6-2 6-2 and the world no.560 Yibing Wu 7-6(5) 6-3.
Carlos Alcaraz will take on the world no.357 Gabi Adrian Boitan in the . In the past, they have never played each other as of now in top events.
Alcaraz clinched 4 titles in 2024 in Indian Wells, French Open, Wimbledon and Beijing. Carlos was the runner-up in Paris (Olympics).
The Spaniard won 17 titles in his career: 5 on hard courts, 8 on clay courts, 1 on indoor courts and 3 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
He is also scheduled to play in Paris (Rolex Paris Masters). The main draw will start on the 28th of October.
Gael Monfils and Carlos Alcaraz played each other 3 times. Their current record is 2-1 for Alcaraz. Before, the last time they fought against each other, Gael Monfils won 4-6 7-6(5) 6-4 in the 2nd round in Cincinnati (Western & Southern Open) on the 16th of August 2024.
You can see them in action in the following highlights.
