Gaël Monfils, the seasoned French tennis player, has had a rollercoaster ride at the Toronto Masters. The 36-year-old, currently ranked 276th in the world, demonstrated resilience and flashes of his former brilliance, marked by both surprising upsets and eventual defeat.
Monfils began his Toronto Masters campaign with a hard-fought victory over Christopher Eubanks, requiring three sets to secure the win. He then pulled off a stunning upset against fourth-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas. Monfils defeated Tsitsipas 6-4, 6-3 in a dazzling second-round display. This victory marked Monfils' first win against a top-10 player since March 2022. Monfils himself acknowledged his strategy against Tsitsipas, stating that he tried to put a lot of balls in play, hit heavy, and not let Tsitsipas dictate the match.
Monfils continued his strong performance by reaching the quarter-finals, his first tour-level quarter-final appearance since the Australian Open the previous year. However, his run was halted by Jannik Sinner, who defeated him 6-4, 4-6, 6-3. The match was a thrilling contest, lasting two hours and 22 minutes and featuring exciting baseline rallies. Monfils showcased his powerful serve, firing 19 aces against Sinner. Despite the loss, Monfils' performance throughout the tournament was a testament to his enduring talent and determination.
Following his defeat, Sinner acknowledged the difficulty of the match, noting that Monfils raised his level in the second set. Sinner adjusted his game plan in the third set, playing with more freedom to secure the victory.
Monfils' journey in Toronto was particularly notable considering his recent struggles with injuries and his subsequent drop in rankings. His return to the court in March after a series of injuries fueled his desire to compete strongly. His performance at the Toronto Masters served as a statement that he is returning to form after limited appearances in 2023.
Meanwhile, other notable events unfolded at the Toronto Masters. Carlos Alcaraz, the top-seeded Spaniard, advanced to the third round after defeating Ben Shelton. Alexander Zverev, the top seed, revealed that he sought advice from Rafael Nadal at Nadal's training academy in Mallorca.
