Gael Monfils gets thrashed out of Paris in first round by Bublik

     It didn't matter if this was Gael Monfils' hometown. It wasn't a huge factor that a newer heavier ball was played on court. There wasn't a strong reason as the weather wasn't exactly perfect causing Gael Monfils to be pushed out of the opening round at Roland Garros 4-6, 5-7, 6-3, 3-6. he was simply outsmarted by opponent Alexander Bublik and couldn't come up with the goods to walk off the winner.

     Monfils started the match off great leading 3-0. But it was Bublik's diving and fast wheels to get to slices and spins that overrode Monfils. The Russian was better at creating the offensive wins to tie the set then pull ahead winning in the opening set. The Frenchman came back in the 2nd, but it was the Russian who kept having the ability to give it that one more ball, leading to Monfils downfall taking things for granted. If it wasn't the tweener, it was a dropshot that manipulated Monfils. The Frenchman's serve was snappy and he had tricks to pull out his bag too, but it just didn't handicap Bublik enough and the Russian continue to keep hungry on every shot.

     Monfils ranked no. 9 in the world started the season off right with a title in France at the Open Sud De France even over the Canadian Vasek Pospisil. It was his good fortune that continued as his superior game play stayed together winning another title over the young Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime at Rotterdam. Monfils' die hard abilities prevailed as he made the semifinal with Novak Djokovic in Dubai. But the Pandemic swept all tournaments away for six months stopping Monfils' winning momentum. He would lose his next two tournaments int he opening rounds in Rome and germany. Unfortunately it continued on with the French Open.

Age difference and Bublik's desire to win made Monfils' job impossible

The 49th ranked Bublik seen the need to win this match and did as it was his first win over a top 10 player in the world. This left Monfils perplexed as to how it could have happened. But merely what happened was not only the age or the weather but Bublik's desiere to accomplish somethin he hasn't yet in his six year career. Monfuls could only re-examine his performance saying "I don't play well, it's as simple as that. I'm going to go home...train and see when I'm going to start competing again." 

     The future for most players is a bit blurred due to the world's health crisis but for now Alexander Bublik is seeing a bright future and ready to continue seeing how far he can go at Roland Garros and the rest of the remaining tour.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/30jD9pk