On Thursday, in the Round of 32 of the 2023 Citi Open in Washington, Gael Monfils played agasint Alexander Bublik. The Kazakhstani World No. 25 was easily beaten by the Frenchman 6-3, 6-4 in two sets.
Gael Monfils easily defeated Bublik, but the highlight of the match came when he was given a warning by the referee for showing a “lack of effort” near the conclusion. Much of the spectators booed the Frenchman for doing the same, and his opponent thought it was hilarious.
During the second set, Alexander Bublik was up 40-0 in his service game and serving to even the score at 5-4. Gael Monfils seems to have decided it wasn’t worthwhile to put out the effort to get back in that game, especially because he would have the advantage nonetheless. He returned to his bench without waiting for the 26-year-old to score the final point. The 36-year-old was warned by the umpire as a result of this action. He even made an effort to engage the umpire in a lengthy conversation, but the outcome remained the same.
Here is the video.
Gael Monfils received a warning for a lack of effort when leading against Alexander Bublik.
He went on to win in straight sets 🤷‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/BHz5mRGJdg
— Eurosport (@eurosport) August 3, 2023
Monfils in Washington, ranking, and results in 2023
Ranked no.323, Monfils has managed to achieve a composed 4-8 win-loss record in 2023. Gael is competing in Washington where he ousted the world no.695 Bjorn Fratangelo 6-3 6-4 and the world no.25 Alexander Bublik 6-3 6-4.
Gael Monfils will take on the world no.37 Tallon Griekspoor in the 3rd round on Thursday at 3:00 pm on GRANDSTAND. In the past, they have never played each other until now in top tournaments.
The French player won 11 titles in his career: 3 on hard courts, 1 on clay courts and 7 on indoor courts. (See the list of his titles)
Monfils will compete next in Toronto (National Bank Open). He will start the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 7th of August thanks to a protected ranking.
Alexander Bublik in 2023
Currently the world no.25 (career-high), Bublik played his last match on the 2nd of August when he lost to world no.323 Gael Monfils 6-3 6-4 in the 2nd round in Washington (draw).
This season Bublik has managed to achieve a composed 20-23 record. Bublik has won 1 title in Halle.
Bublik is scheduled to play next in Toronto (National Bank Open). He will start to play the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 7th of August.
Gael Monfils and Alexander Bublik fought against each other 3 times. Their record is 2-1 for Monfils. The last time they squared off, Gael Monfils won 6-3 6-4 in the 2nd round in Washington (Citi Open) on the 2nd of August 2023.
In the following video you can watch the key moments of their match.
