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Gael Monfils

Two brilliant Quarter-Final match-ups last night at the same Rod Laver Arena venue in Melbourne, these players such as Denis Shapovalov & Gael Monfils showed plenty of fight on the Tennis court but one of them had to end out on top as Rafael Nadal & Matteo Berrettini defeated their respective opponents, as they will face each other in the 1st semi-final on Friday Afternoon.

Unlucky from Shapovalov, who fought very hard, after he went from the first two sets down to a 2-2 lead that led to the 5th set decider. It goes to show he is no stranger of playing through long spells and did hit back Rafa on occasions, he just couldn’t hold it off a little longer during that climax towards the finish line and had to smash his racket in the end.

The same went with 35 year old from France Gael Monfils where he too was always on the same page as Berrettini, now Monfils began to make up lost time from the close first two set defeats & almost pulled a late comeback. However, he was blown away quickly by Berretini when it comes to a final lap sprint which confirmed his elimination from the Final 8 of this main draw.

Meanwhile, Rafa Nadal off to a flying start with an early lead following the first two sets, although he was tested on occasions later on but he had the better experience when it comes to his finishing & that came back to haunt Shapovalov’s renewed 2nd half momentum. And Berrettini just never gave up, who didn’t have the easiest of battles along the way, against an experienced Grand Slam semi-finalist like Monfils. He eventually found light at the end of the tunnel during the 5th set decider having held his early two sets lead intact as his advantage & pulled off too good in the end.

Look out for Jannik Sinner v Stefanos Tsitsipas plus Felix Auger-Aliassime v Daniil Medvedev in the other two Quarter-Final ties later today.

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Gael Monfils came in as the World No.10 from France. Where the 34 year old will face someone who is young. His name is Emil Ruusuvuori from Finland. This opponent is ranked No.86 at age 21. In a Youth v Experience showdown at Court 13.

Monfils won the first set against Ruusuvuori 6-3. Despite a first point loss against the Finn. Where he wasted no time catching up. And closed in with Ruusuvuori side by side during the opening set 3-3. Before Monfils got it sorted to register this flying start.

But Monfils somehow faded immediately after the initial break. When Ruusuvuori built a great base towards halfway 3-1 ahead of Monfils. Although the Frenchman began to catch up on the areas that fallen apart. But the Finn narrowly shut him down in Stage 2, 6-4.

Nothing much happened during the 3rd set. As Ruusuvuori maintained the same momentum from Stage 2. So the healthy fire off is there. While Monfils unable to rectify his weaknesses that fell behind the Finn. There was some progress began after Ruusuvuori led 3-1. He just fell short once again with another set loss 7-5. With a potential early exit looming at Court 13.

Monfils did his best to have his journey in Melbourne without a fight. He overcame a poor start this time to leapfrog past Ruusuvuori 2-2. And pulled off a great 2nd half middle ground without too much hassle. When Monfils won the 4th set 6-3 as his 2nd mini win. That denied the Finn his straight sets win at the first attempt.

Having seen Monfils & Ruusuvuori won two sets each. That 5th and final stage ended in a standoff. As one of them will be able to advance in the 2nd round. The Finn was able to find the consistency towards the home stretch. Monfils may have denied Ruusuvuori four March points. But the lead margin 6-3 against Monfils is too much work to compensate.

Despite the enormous current ranking Monfils is at right now. It does not mean any guarantees of success. With the Frenchman approaching his twilight years going into age 35. While the World No.86 from Finland punched his ticket for Round 2. As Ruusuvuori has a bright future ahead in the singles. He won three sets to two v Monfils: 3-6, 6-3, 7-5, 3-6 & 6-3.

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