23rd seed Gael Monfils defeated Nicolas Mahut in a second round affair at the Australian Open. The 29 year old won the match 7-5, 6-4, 6-1 in a quite comfortable fashion. Mahut was also celebrating his 34th birthday on the exact same day.
Monfils showed versatility as he struck 18 aces and won 89 percent of his first service points. With the victory Monfils will go on to the 3rd round to face another French man and qualifier Stephane Robert. The Frenchmen is playing with more focus and less of his normal flamboyant style, except on special occasions. He is a former world number seven, and will now bid to equal his best Australian Open performance (last 16 in 2009). He has a chance to make the quarterfinals this year considering his favorable section which has seen Rafael Nadal lose in the first round.
Mahut was only allowed to one break point opportunity the whole match, failing to get any breaks of serve. Monfils showed complete control even when things got tight and made it uncomfortable for his opponent to play his typical net game. Mahut only won a woeful 19 of 41 points at net. The 29 year old displayed beautiful passing shots to keep himself in front.
Monfils also struck 50 winners and only committed 10 unforced errors, a great ratio and part of a winning formula for the fiery Frenchmen moving forward. An efficient display as well, going four of five on break point opportunities.
Monfils also felt for his friend as he spoiled his birthday celebrations. "I gave him a hug ... at the end he was a bit loose," Monfils said. The two showed great sportsmanship at the end, embracing at the end with a special handshake.
Monfils Escapes Tight Set
The 29-year-old Frenchman got proceedings under way on serve. Both players maintained holding with no break opportunities in sight. The match eventually went to 5-5 after some good points of play. Slim margins presented themselves as the 23rd seed held to get to 6-5.
He then found his one chance to get a break and take the set off return as Monfils got up 0-40 with three break opportunities coming. The skilled 29 year old stretched out and luckily got a dead net cord to go his way as he took the first set off his first chance at a break, 7-5.
Monfils Furthers His Lead
Both players remained focused as the second set began. No lulls of play were present as holds were traded, similar to the first set. Monfils held his serve for 5-4 as the business end of the second set began.
Coming into the last game, Mahut had only committed five unforced errors in the second set as he tightened down on his old school style of on the go transition tennis. Unfortunately two unforced errors came at the wrong time as the 34 year old dumped a forehand into the net to give his 29 year old opponent a commanding two set lead.
Monfils Safely Through In Straight Sets
As the third set began, Mahut had nothing to lose. The 34 year old swung away fearlessly creating his only break point chance of the entire match in the opening game. His opponent still held on firmly though, denying the break and flying out to a big lead.
Monfils started becoming more relaxed as the set went on showing his more typical flamboyant tennis style. The human highlight reel made some great pick ups and seemed to have fun as he cruised his way to the finish line. Monfils finished the match easily, with a 6-1 scoreline to get through in straights and book his way to the third round.