Gael Monfils made fairly an announcement forward of his Shanghai Masters round-of-16 match in opposition to Carlos Alcaraz because the French veteran admitted that his expectation is that he’ll get “crushed” by the world No. 2.
On Tuesday, the previous world No. 6 overcame fellow compatriot Ugo Humbert 7-6 (7) 2-6 6-1 to succeed in the last-16 stage in Shanghai for the primary time since 2016. By doing so, the 38-year-old additionally arrange a gathering with the second-seeded Spaniard.
Whereas Alcaraz will undoubtedly be the massive favourite to win their conflict, it must be famous that Monfils claimed a shock 4-6 7-6 (5) 6-4 win on the Cincinnati Masters two months in the past. Nevertheless, the present world No. 46 is just not too optimistic about his possibilities of beating the 21-year-old once more.
“Will probably be, for me, a very powerful one, and a few matches that, you realize, you at all times wish to play, on this stage of my profession, is to play these nice gamers. As I say, developing legend. For me, it is simply an honor to be on the courtroom with this man tomorrow, so it is going to be nice to face him once more,” the Frenchman previewed.
Monfils: Alcaraz will crush me
For the reason that former world No. 6 managed to upset the Spaniard when he was coming off back-to-back Grand Slam wins on the French Open and Wimbledon, the reporters most likely anticipated the Frenchman to sound optimistic going into their Shanghai Masters. However as a substitute, the 38-year-old just about instructed them that he could be shocked if he left the courtroom with out getting annihilated.
“No, no, I feel he’ll beat me. He’ll crush me 100%, you realize. I feel I used to be simply fortunate, as I stated. Final time I used to be very lucky, and it was not a superb match from him, and one among my good match from me. His stage is unbelievable. I’ve additionally finished nice myself, however he is, as I say, developing legend. So, I assume he’ll crush me, however as I say, I’ll do every thing to not be crushed too simple, in a method,” Monfils admitted.
“However every thing is bonus, it is bonus, you realize. It is not like I come up on the courtroom, in fact, with the perspective, as a result of I’ve the expertise. However now I’ve the expertise, and I can discuss like for actual, you realize, this child is one thing else. So, actually, it is going to be a 99 % likelihood for him, however simply to get a %, you realize, in order that’s why you go. I will take pleasure in myself, however as an actual man I let you know, no, this child is one thing else.”
Regardless of the Cincinnati defeat, Alcaraz owns a optimistic 2-1 head-to-head file in opposition to the previous world No. 6. In 2022 – when the present world No. 2 was simply making an attempt to ascertain himself on the Tour, he ousted the Frenchman 7-5 6-1 on the Indian Wells Masters. Earlier this yr, the four-time Grand Slam champion earned a routine 6-2 6-4 win on the Miami Masters.
Monfils addresses becoming a member of Roger Federer on a particular Shanghai checklist
Now that the 38-year-old Frenchman has been by to the Shanghai round-of-16, he has additionally change into the second-oldest participant since Federer to succeed in this stage of the event. When Federer did it in 2019, he was additionally 38 however a couple of months older.
Requested about throughout his on-court presser, Monfils stated: “Endurance… to have the eagerness to. Play tennis. I’m affected person with myself, typically when it’s not working. The self-discipline to work with my workforce to attempt to get the very best out of me. On the finish, it’s simple, I really like the sport.”
Monfils on changing into the 2nd oldest man to succeed in Shanghai R16
“You’re the 2nd oldest man to succeed in the Spherical of 16 in Shanghai, after Roger Federer in 2019. What’s the key behind your longevity?”
Gael: “Endurance… to have the eagerness to
Play tennis. I’m affected person with myself,… pic.twitter.com/Aa6dSRMxLa— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) October 8, 2024
Whereas the Frenchman is previous his prime and not among the finest within the recreation, he nonetheless owns a respective 24-20 file in 2024. And for the 12-time ATP champion, simply figuring out that he can nonetheless play strong on the principle stage is sufficient to make him blissful.
“I am at all times blissful. As I stated final time, any win, it is one thing, it implies that I nonetheless obtained it, can nonetheless compete in opposition to nice gamers. So, you realize, it is one other one at this time, simply proud of that,” Monfils famous.
If the previous world No. 6 manages to drag off an upset in opposition to Alcaraz once more, he’ll attain the Shanghai quarterfinal for the second time in his profession. Beforehand, it occurred in 2013, when he made the last-eight earlier than dropping to Novak Djokovic.
