Marcos Baghdatis added to the depletion of the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament draw when he upset David Goffin 6-1, 5-7, 7-6(5) during first-round action on Tuesday. Baghdatis won the last five points of the match after trailing 5-2 in the final-set tiebreaker. The Cypriot clinched victory on an incredible 41-ball rally.
Baghdatis hot shot:
No. 1 seed Richard Gasquet also exited on Tuesday, but he did so without even taking the court. A champion last week in Montpellier, Gasquet withdrew due to both illness and a groin injury. The Frenchman was only the top seed because Roger Federer pulled out earlier this month after sustaining a knee injury.
Gael Monfils, however, restored some order to the proceedings. The fifth seed turned in a no-nonsense performance to see off qualifier Ernests Gulbis 6-4, 6-4 in one hour and 12 minutes. Monfils held all 10 of his service games and did not face a break point until the final game of the contest at 5-4 in the second set.
“I served great,” said Monfils, who fired six aces and put in 72 percent of his first deliveries. “That was the key for me…. I definitely put pressure on his forehand and tried to be alert. We know Ernests can give you one, two, three points in a row. I tried to be ready for anything he was willing to give me.”
Next up for the Frenchman on Wednesday is Borna Coric.
Monfils interview:
[polldaddy poll=9304415]
anyone got Baggy-Goffin match point video?
Oh, I just saw it on the tennis channel tell replay of the match! A 41 point rally to end the match with Goffin finally making the error!
I am glad that I got to see it.
Already put Monfils in 3 but I could see straight sets win for sure as well. We’ll see. Should be entertaining.
I think Monfils will win in 2 sets.