CINCINNATI—In an exciting third-round match at the 2024 Cincinnati Open, Gaël Monfils achieved an impressive victory over world number 3, Carlos Alcaraz, with scores of 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4. Monfils, who was trailing by a set before the match was suspended due to rain, made a strong comeback on Friday afternoon to secure his biggest win of the season.
Monfils Returns Triumphant
When the match resumed, Monfils quickly leveled the score and then overcame Alcaraz in the deciding set, marking his first victory against a Top 3 player in over two years. The 37-year-old Frenchman, known for his athleticism and flamboyant style, advanced to the quarterfinals in two hours and 29 minutes, marking only his second appearance in the quarterfinals at the Lindner Family Tennis Center since 2011.
Monfils, competing alongside his wife and fellow tennis player Elina Svitolina, faced a challenging summer, entering the Cincinnati tournament without a win since early July. However, he found his form in Cincinnati, starting with a victory over Alexei Popyrin in the first round.
Before the match, Monfils praised the young 21-year-old Alcaraz, calling him a "complete athlete" and comparing him to legends like Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer. Despite having lost their two previous encounters, Monfils entered the match with confidence and determination.
Alcaraz, fresh off a silver medal at the Olympics, started the match strong and took the first set.
A Decisive Match
In the final set, Monfils saved two crucial break points before breaking Alcaraz's serve. Visibly frustrated, Alcaraz smashed his racket as Monfils consolidated his lead. Despite Alcaraz's brave efforts to stay in the game, Monfils held firm, closing out the victory with a powerful serve and celebrating with a message for his daughter Skaï.
Later that day, Monfils returned to the court to face Holger Rune in the quarterfinals. Although he won the first set, Monfils eventually lost to the 15th seed, with scores of 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. However, his victory over Alcaraz remains one of the highlights of the tournament, showcasing the resilience and skill of the veteran.
