Monfils Uses Emotional Adrenaline To Slay Kei in Montreal

Gael Monfils comes back from 6-7 2-5 down, then 3-5 in the 3rd and 2-6 in the 3rd set tiebreaker, beats Kei Nishikori 6-7(4), 7-5, 7-6(6) in Montreal second round.

Monfils had never beaten Nishikori before and had lost several super close third set tiebreakers to the Japanese ace.

But yesterday the rivalry changed in dramatic fashion. Monfils saved an incredible four straight match points for 6-6 and then a Nishikori forehand long and a Monfils inside in forehand winner finished the job.

From 2-6 down, Monfils played some magical tennis and expressed more animated emotion than I have ever seen from him. It was clearly the Frenchman experiencing entering the zone of playing unbeatable tennis. And it was Monfils utilizing his emotional adrenaline energy course.

Nishikori could no nothing about it, despite having the mental edge of having never lost a match to Monfils.

Last week in Washington at the Citi Open, before losing to Yuki Bhambri in three sets, Monfils talked about the belief that he still believes he will become a Grand Slam champion in what he termed is “the second half of his career.”

After seeing the new level of genius and the utilization of his vast emotional adrenaline reserves, Monfils has just entered the equation of potential ATP players who can win a major title in the next year or two or three. Yesterday’s incredible display against Nishikori was that impressive.

It was the type of win that can not only alter a draw or change a tournament…it was the type of win that can change Monfils’ career and his perception of himself.

Magic · Monfils · Montreal

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