Former world No. 6 Gael Monfils admitted that he misses beating the top players after losing to world No. 1 Novak Djokovic. On Tuesday, Monfils was hoping to secure his first-ever win over Djokovic. Like 17 times before, Monfils again ended on the loisng side Djokovic.
Djokovic, who had a first round bye in Madrid, made a strong start to his Madrid campaign as he saw off Monfils 6-3 6-2. Djokovic now owns a stunning 18-0 head-to-head record versus Monfils. “I miss wins against big guys.
Winning against good guys is going to be key,” Monfils said, per Quentin Moynet of L’Equipe.
Monfils: “When I’m good, when I’m far away, when I bomb the ball well and when I manage to make my change of pace, that’s when I’m boring.
I miss wins against big guys. Winning against good guys is going to be key.” https://t.co/vvjUjCgu8b — Quentin Moynet (@QuentinMoynet) May 3, 2022
Monfils: Djokovic is still tough tough to beat
Djokovic kicked off his season in Dubai, where he suffered a shock defeat to Jiri Vesely in the quarterfinal.
In Monte Carlo, Djokovic suffered a surprise loss to Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. Two weeks ago in Belgrade, Djokovic struggled but still reached the final. Some believed that this was Monfils’ best shot at beating Djokovic in a long time.
Unfortunately for Monfils, it was once again a one-sided affair. “When we say he’s takeable… He’s solid! You still have to play a big match to beat him. The guy remains world No. 1. He’s playing better and better.
Today, he was simple, effective. I played an average match. It’s 6-3 6-2, Monfils said.
Monfils on Djokovic: “When we say he’s takeable… He’s solid! You still have to play a big game to beat him.
The guy remains world No. 1. He is playing better and better. Today, it was simple, effective. Me, I played an average game. It’s 6-3, 6-2.” — Quentin Moynet (@QuentinMoynet) May 3, 2022
Monfils had a chance to break Djokovic early but he missed out on two break points in the third game and one more break point in the fifth game.
Monfils paid the price for missing out on his break points as Djokovic claimed the first break in the sixth game and held on to his serve the rest of the way to win the opener. In the second set, Djokovic broke Monfils in the third and seventh game to complete a straight-set win.
Monfils will have to wait for another opportunity to beat Djokovic. Monfils was closest to beating Djokovic in Dubai two years ago, when he missed out on three match points.
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