Placed on an alternating current, Gael Monfils did not have the fuel to face Thomas Martin Hevery (32nd in the world), who was more regular and consistent in his selections. The Frenchman compiled some stunning shots, but also broke down in some sequences where he offered breaks that cost him dearly.
In the first set, Monfils, dominating the rallies, looked embarrassed on his right foot, at times in a nonchalant, almost alarming, certain attitude. Despite losing 18 winners in the second set and winning 94% of first-ball points, still intermittent in performance, he looked to have bounced back before sinking his commitment at 4-4 on four unforced errors.
A touch of anger, but not always a leg
In the third set, the Frenchman slapped his forehand to give himself a chance to escape before squandering a 2-1 break point with a centimeter-out volley after returning to a “SABR” taken too early in Federer’s fashion. Before collapsing on a few quick light shocks. Trailing 3-4, the Frenchman screamed before a phenomenal forehand to earn a break point, wasted on a missed forehand attack. Disappointing… Monfils had a touch of fury, but not always a leg up against an effective rival in a long chain. He will miss out on his 122nd Grand Slam win here, which would have put him in pole position among French players ahead of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
After quickly knocking out Andy Murray (36 years) in the first round, Etcheverry tamed Monfils (37 years), for whom it did not always follow on the placement, apparently more stable in his long-term efforts in the strength of 24. Qualifying for the third round at a Grand Slam for the second time since the quarter-finals at Roland Garros last year, the strong Argentine will face the winner of the Djokovic-Poperin match.
