Gael Monfils gave himself an opportunity to capitalize on a Rafael Nadal-less draw at the Australian Open when he beat fellow Frenchman Stephane Robert 7-5, 6-3, 6-2 during third-round action on Saturday afternoon. Monfils set up a showdown with Andrey Kuznetsov in the last 16 after cruising past Robert in one hour and 44 minutes.
The combination of Robert just being happy to be there and Monfils all but certain of a successful outcome made for a wildly entertaining match. Robert, a 35-year-old who is outside the top 100 and was in the third round of a Grand Slam for just the second time in his career, more than held his own in the showmanship department. The underdog even had leads in the first and second sets only to see Monfils get back to temporary business.
Robert ends wild point with backhand winner:
After Monfils won the first two, the third and final set was a borderline circus. One point, especially, will not soon be forgotten. Aided by his opponent, Robert played his way into the highlight reels by winning an improbable point.
Robert goes behind the back and between the legs on the same point, wins it:
Next up for Monfils is the man who emerged from Nadal’s section of the bracket. The fifth-ranked Spaniard lost his opener to Fernando Verdasco in five sets, Verdasco promptly bowed out to Dudi Sela, and Sela fell to Kuznetsov. Monfils and Kuznetsov will be going head-to-head for the third time in their careers on Monday. The Frenchman took both of their previous encounters last season, prevailing in Marseille (6-3, 6-2) and Monte-Carlo (4-6, 6-3, 6-4).
Kuznetsov preceded his four-set victory over Sela by ousting Ryan Harrison and Jeremy Chardy in straight sets. Before beating Robert, Monfils crushed Yuichi Sugita and Nicolas Mahut.
Monfils may lapse into pure entertainment mode at times in this contest, but he should be able to focus enough to get the job done in no more than four sets.
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who ya got?
Monfils in 3
Monfils in 4
Those 2 points on video truly were “circus” quality…would have been SO much fun to have been at that match. Monfils in 5
Crazy. Would have been fun to be there!
Voted yesterday, I thought. Monfils over Kuznetsov in 3.
Have it on now. Monfils won 1st set 7-5
Monfils stretched out to get a ball and fell on the court. He hurt the pinky finger of his serving hand. So he had a MTO. I really wish he would try not to do that kind of stuff, because he’s risking injury.
The ESPN commies said that Monfils has a new coach, some Swedish guy from the same Academy as Magnus Norman. He’s trying to give Monfils some much needed discipline. The talent has always been there. I hope he can serious up and use his considerable talents.
Something seems a bit amiss with Monfils since that MTO. I don’t know if that injured pinky is hurting him when he serves.
Are you watching ESPN2?
LaMonf is an accident waiting to happen.
Just when he gets such a great opportunity to make the QF – I hope he’s okay.
Monfils just double faulted away a break of serve. I really hope this doesn’t cost him the match. He’s seemed different since the injury.
Monfils being monfils with that dive. Dang. Now he has a finger injury and is struggling. To be honest I would love to see Kuznetsov make a run all the way to the quarters but I also would love to see a run for monfils. I think he will still pull this out but this will be tricky.
Monfils seems to be feeling better, winning the second set. Thank goodness. I really wish he would stop with this clownish and reckless diving. One day he could seriously hurt himself and it’s just not worth it.
There is no question that I want Monfils to win and get to the quarterfinals. He is one of the players that I love to watch. I am hoping that his new coach will get him to settle down and be serious about his tennis. When he’s on his game, he is something else!
yes. I try to be neutral but I love LaMonf. Double matchpoint…
Allez Gael! First time for him in the AO QF
You never know about LaMonf. Stan or Milos next – that might bring out his best tennis and he makes the semi.
Would be epic for him to make the semis and I wouldn’t totally rule him out if he played Murray or something. Personally I want Stan to make final though. And I would root for him against anyone except Roger in that match.
Benny,
I would love to see Monfils in the semis! As far as Stan, are you watching his match with Raonic? He’s getting his clock cleaned right now. Raonic won the first set, Stan broke in the second set, then Raonic broke back and broke again.
Stan is in trouble. This is a surprise.
BTW, I hope you have recovered from our marathon last night!
rc,
Did you read about Gael’s new coach? Brad Gilbert seemed to think this guy will help him a lot.
I hope his little pinky finger is okay for the next match. I am so happy for him!