Gael Monfils rode a perfect day to snap a six-game losing streak against Dominic Thiem at the Mallorca Championships presented by Waterdrop.
Monfils entered the match with a Lexus ATP Head2Head record of 0-6 against the Austrian, but fired 13 aces, won 90 percent of the first match points and did not face a break point en route to a 6-3, 7 -6. (3) victory.
[ATP APP]“It was my first match on grass for three years and I knew I had to work hard and be aggressive against Dominic,” said Monfils. “The weather is good, the field was full and I really like the winds here. Now I will try to win again. It would be nice to have two wins in a row under my belt.”
The 37-year-old Frenchman advances to play Spain’s Roberto Carballes Baena, who defeated countryman Pablo Carreno Busta in a third-set match on Sunday. Improving to 14-13 on the year, Monfils is looking to reach his first quarter-final since reaching the semifinals in Doha in February.
Thiem, who has announced that the 2024 season will be his last, was acknowledged by the tournament during a brief post-match ceremony. “I’ve been here many times before the tournament and twice during the tournament and it’s been great,” said Thiem. “I’m looking forward to returning to this great team to watch the tournament in the future.”
W in the grass ✅@Gael_Monfils playing in his first grass court tournament since 2021 Wimbledon defeats Thiem!@MallorcaChamps | #MallorcaChampionships pic.twitter.com/wzEL6Hnhq6
– ATP Tour (@atptour) June 24, 2024
Earlier, Italian veteran Fabio Fognini saved three of four break points to defeat lucky Dutchman Gijs Brouwer 7-6(4), 7-6(5).
Australia’s Rinky Hijikata, who enters this week five places below the PIF ATP Ranking of 70 after reaching the Queen’s quarter-finals last week, defeated Luca Nardi 6-2, 2-6, 7-5 from behind to see an Italian. save 14 of the 18 points we face at halftime.
[NEWSLETTER FORM]
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