Gael Monfils and Ivo Karlovic met in the Citi Open final. Karlovic was looking for his second title in as many weeks while Monfils was looking for his first title in two years. It was the Frenchman who would go on to win after coming back from a set and a break down, saving a championship point in the process, to win the biggest title of his career.

Late Break Gives Karlovic The First Set

The first few service games were very typical of what you would expect in a match of two men who hold often, quick, easy service games. The first four games were done in a couple minutes each with the Croat’s service games just lasting over a couple of minutes while the Frenchman’s service games were lasting just under a couple of minutes long.

Neither man would get a look at break point until Monfils was serving at five-all for 6-5. He would go double-fault at 15-40 to gift Karlovic the break. The Croat had not been broken all tournament, and it seemed that he would hold with no problem whilst serving out for the set. However, he got tight and fall behind 0-40. The Croat saved all three, but Monfils kept the pressure coming with a backhand passing shot winner down the line to get it back to deuce on the first set point for the 37-year-old. Karlovic took the set 7-5 after an overhead smash was left out of the Frenchman’s grasp.

Monfils Breaks Karlovic, Saves Championship Point To Force Third Set

Everything seemed to be on course for another tiebreak, but the ninth game of the set saw the Frenchman’s mentality waver. A backhand slice down the line allowed Karlovic to get to the net and his following forehand volley forced Monfils to lob the 6’11’’ giant. It only ended with one result, and that was a Karlovic overhead smash to give him the break for a 5-4 lead and a shot to serve out for the title.

Just like when he was serving out for the first set, the Croat began getting tight whilst serving out for what would have been his biggest title to date. He could not find his trusty first serve when he needed it the most. A backhand return winner down the line while the 37-year-old was going for his usual serve and volley tactic saw the Frenchman get triple break point.

It was another 0-40 that Karlovic escaped, however, the end result was not the same as in the first set. Monfils did his best to get the return in play and did just that and forced the Croat in what should have been an easy putaway, but he hit it the volley long to give Monfils the break back. Both men held easily as a tiebreak would ensue.

Neither man wavered on their serve as Monfils would save the first championship point at 5-6 down in the tiebreak. He earned himself a set point opportunity at 7-6 up in the tiebreak on the Croat’s serve. A short blocked back return drew Karlovic into the net, and the 37-year-old’s forehand found the net as Monfils was fired up after stealing the second set.

Monfils shows his emotions after stealing the second set (Noel Alberto/VAVEL USA)
Monfils shows his emotions after stealing the second set (Noel Alberto/VAVEL USA)

Monfils Clinches Biggest Title Of His Career

The Croat seemed he had put the blown chances behind him after a quick hold to start the set, but despite that, he found himself facing two break points at one-all in the second. A slice backhand volley was hit long to give the Frenchman that elusive break. He consolidated at 15 for a 3-1 lead and continued to put pressure on the Karlovic serve by going three deuces at 3-1 up before the Croat held for 3-2.

The one break was sufficient enough in the set. Monfils was serving for the championship and felt no pressure that Karlovic had while serving for the match. He closed the tournament out with a hold at 15, watching a Karlovic return sail long as he clinched the biggest title of his career. After the match, he went to the box to celebrate with his box, letting them celebrate with the trophy as well. After being a semifinalist and a former finalist at the Citi Open, third time’s the charm for Monfils who ended his poor run of eight straight losses in ATP 500 and Masters 1000s finals with this victory.

Monfils celebrates with his team after his Citi Open (Victor Ng/Tennis Files)
Monfils celebrates with his team after his Citi Open (Victor Ng/Tennis Files)
VAVEL Logo
About the author
Noel John Alberto
Filipino-American sports journalist from Toms River, NJ. UMBC Graduate and aspiring physical therapist. Tennis editor and multi-sport coordinator for VAVEL USA. Writer for Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Serie A sections of VAVEL UK. Sports aficionado. Host of the On The Line tennis podcast.