Corentin Moutet continues to rise in the ATP, today bouncing Dan Evans in four sets to advance to the third round, equaling his best Grand Slam result.
Doubles great Mark Woodforde called Moutet’s win today on the US Open live stream and was impressed enough to call the young French lefty “a rock solid player” and capable “of giving any player on the tour problems”, noting his big wins in Doha this year against Stan Wawrinka, Milos Raonic and Fernando Verdasco.
On the surface, Moutet looks like your basic ATP player but when you watch him closely you begin to see things that set him apart. He has very good all around strokes, variety in his shots, amazing foot speed and defensive skills but also the ability to strike winners and play damaging shots. Then there is the emotional adrenaline factor.
At 5-5 in the fourth set today vs Evans, Moutet fought back from 0-40 to deuce on Evans serve, before losing it. Then he held serve in a close game to force the tiebreaker. The more emotionally charged player yelling CMON and other roars of self exhortion, Moutet grabbed the 3-0 early lead, almost fueled by his emotions and will to play better. Mouter prevailed 7-1… 4-6 6-3 7-6 7-6.
Moutet was clearly the stronger personality on court. Evans was the meek subordinate, outplayed, outclassed, outsmarted, outgunned. Not seeming to know what happened. When it was over, Moutet let out a lion roar. Evans bowed his head and exited the premises like a fired employee.
It’s not common to witness a young or veteran French player show such fire, desire, and obsession to be a champion. Most French players just seem to play hard and accept the result – Simon, Gasquet, Chardy, Pouile, but Moutet roars and screams like a young Hewitt. It was all for himself too, there were no fans on court 4. Moutet really wants this. He’s not here to be top 30 or top 50. He’s here to be the boss.
The 21 year old is ranked 77 now and has an 8-5 record this year. He is coached by Laurent Raymond.
In the third round Moutet will play Felix Auger-Aliassime.
It will be a big challenge for Moutet to subdue the high-powered Canadian, and surely a clash of young titans worth your time to view.
Doug Day · September 5, 2020 at 7:44 am
Nothing better than a fighter and Evans met himself the last two days, so full of fire and belief. Moutet is a shooting star full of talent right now and i cant wait to see how he counters Felix arsenal.
P.S.I dont miss the lines people at all.
Scoop Malinowski · September 5, 2020 at 9:47 am
Dout, Moutet is a street fighter out there, he uses emotional adrenaline to his advantage and he does not care if his fire agitates the opponent, he’s a man on a mission. He’s got major talent that is hard to read, it’s not obvious to naked eye. Like a Rios, Hewitt. I think he can take out Felix. Will be tuning in to that one. Moutet is a top 3 favorite to watch now, with Nishioka, Djokovic, F Lo, Hsieh. CMONNNNN!!
Michael in the UK · September 8, 2020 at 12:01 pm
All the emotion and swearing (curse words) in his native language did nothing to help Moutet in the third round against Felix AA. Moutet lost in straight sets.
Still, I remember hearing Moutet’s name for the first time on this site last year – seems an age now what with the ongoing crisis. I agree he is exciting to watch and I will follow him with interest.
Scoop Malinowski · September 8, 2020 at 12:08 pm
Michael, at least Moutet fought with all his might and didn’t tank, though he was overmatched and outclassed by the young Canadian. Don’t like the scoreline but the effort and passion were there despite the blowout. Felix is really good right now but it looks like Thiem’s tournament. At the moment. Of course Rublev, Zverev, Shapo, deMinaur, Medvedev will mount a staunch protest. Four Russians left and three moms. Interesting tournament.