After a narrow defeat, in Auckland, last week, to launch its 2024 season (6-4, 6-7 [6]7-6 [4] against the Hungarian Fabian Marozsan), Gaël Monfils returned to victory on Monday on court 6 at Melbourne Park, to advance through the first round against the German Yannick Hanfmann (6-4, 6-3, 7- 5 in 2h19).
Even if his intentions seemed to be connected to alternating current, Gaël Monfils was able to narrowly retain control of the first round. At 3-3, 0-30, after two gifts, he was able to string together two aces with a winning passing and service. And at 4-4, 15-40, it was another winning service then a backhand into the top corner that saved him. Before coming to get the break and the set at the net, in the next game.
Meeting with Etcheverry
The victory of the first round did not upset the appearance of a match where the weight of the German’s strikes, although very respectable, did not fundamentally bother Monfils. The former world No. 6, 75th ATP this week, gave the impression of having a margin over this solid opponent but not aggressive enough.
He came to get the break of the second set on a small passing shot on the wrong foot, at 3-2, before concluding (6-3) with a forehand missile. He then validated his victory by going for the break at the ideal time, at 5-5 in the third set, on a new passing. A well-executed affair, and energy saved for the future. In the second round, Gaël Monfils will face the Argentinian Tomas Etcheverry (30th), who defeated Andy Murray on Monday (6-4, 6-2, 6-2).
