By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Monday April 7, 2025
A marathon level opened the door for Gael Monfils on Monday in Monte-Carlos, and the 38-year-old kicked via to submit a 4-6 6-1 6-1 victory over qualifier Fabian Marozsan to achieve the second spherical.
20 years after his Monte-Carlo debut the Frenchman continues to be going sturdy. He improves to 6-2 on the Masters 1000 occasions this yr, and 15-5 on the season.
2016 Monte-Carlo finalist Monfils likes his probabilities higher on laborious courts as of late, however Monday’s efficiency proves that he nonetheless has sufficient sport to make a distinction maker on the terre battue.
“Exhausting courts have change into so sluggish that it is nearly like taking part in on clay,” Forty fourth-ranked Monfils stated. “The distinction is the footwork. The dropshots are far more tough to get. Tactical decisions are far more tough additionally, since you’re much less grounded on the courtroom. It is at all times harder for me to do properly on clay than laborious courts.”
Monfils MAGNIFIQUE 🫨@Gael_Monfils & Marozsan placing on a present 🎪#RolexMonteCarloMasters pic.twitter.com/V4fI87BME8
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 7, 2025
Monfils on the Rublev-Safin Pairing
Monfils will face former champion and seventh-seed Andrey Rublev subsequent. The Russian is working with coach Marat Safin formally for the primary time at an ATP occasion.
The Frenchman says he isn’t fairly certain what Safin can add to Rublev’s sport – it’s too early to inform.
“I do not know. It is tough to say. Mainly what’s necessary is Marat’s expertise. He received Grand Slams and main tournaments,” stated Monfils, who went 4-0 lifetime in opposition to Safin throughout his profession.
“Mentally he was extraordinarily strong. He actually preferred very tight matches, and he received a lot of them. So he has a fantastic expertise. That is what he can convey to Rublev.
“I believe additionally we’ll uncover what is occurring little by little. It is a bit early possibly to speak about it. I believe Marat has been teaching a prime participant for the primary time this time, so it is like Andy with Novak. So it is tough to inform proper now. We’d like a couple of days, no less than.”
