Gael Monfils had a pristine record in Montpellier in his career. Coming into this year's Open Sud de France, the 5th seed was 15-3 all-time at the event, winning the title twice. Monfils was out of sorts today though in his 6-4, 7-6 (5) upset loss to Edouard Roger-Vasselin.

Monfils Blames Lack of Rest For Loss

Game one of the opening set raised a red flag right away for Gael Monfils and an immediate notice to all that the real Gael Monfils was back again. The Monfils that often has trouble staying healthy and often gives in to off performances, when one expects better. Wednesday seemed to flash all of that for the 5th seed in Montpellier.

After winning the opening point of the match, the 5th seed would drop four straight on serve as Roger-Vasselin broke to open the match. Monfils was still struggling for consistency on his next service game as a 40-0 lead quickly went to deuce before Monfils was able to put the game away to stay within a break at 2-1. After exchanging service holds, Monfils would finally make a dent in Roger-Vasselin's serve as he broke back to even the set at 3-3. The struggle was real for Monfils though as he would be unable to stay on serve in the next game. Roger-Vasselin would close the set on serve to wrap up a 6-4 opener. The 5th seed was unable to get a measure of Roger-Vasselin's serve as the unseeded Frenchman won 18 of 25 points on serve, including 13 of 16 first serves.

The second set looked brighter for Monfils as he finally broke Roger-Vasselin in the second game. Monfils would consolidate the break to go up 3-0. After a hold from his opponent, the 5th seed was again struggling. Monfils would dish up a break chance that Roger-Vasselin devoured to get back on serve at 3-2. Monfils nearly broke back in the 6th game, but Roger-Vasselin steadied for the hold. The set looked destined for a tiebreak, but Monfils had to hold in a monumental 11th game. The game would see five deuces and two break points before Monfils ultimately held. Roger-Vasselin would send the set to a tiebreak with a hold and immediately took the lead off Monfils' opening serve in the breaker.

The tiebreak would go back and forth with neither player able to hold serve as both won multiple points off the other's serve. Monfils could have seized control after going ahead 4-3 off of two Roger-Vasselin serves. However, Monfils would give one point back and then find himself on the losing end of the match four points later.

After the match, Monfils told French newspaper L'Equipe that he went to the locker room after going up 2-0 in the second set with the trainer. "I gave the best I could. I was winded at first set, I tried to reinvigorate the 2nd but it was not enough. Edouard played well but I had no energy."

Monfils would say that he felt he had not adapted well to returning from Australia with just four days or so to get acclimated back to France. The 5th seed said he had trouble sleeping since returning and felt that took away his energy. Monfils said he needs a true break from playing to get his body right.

Gasquet Makes Winning Return

Top seed Richard Gasquet made his 2016 debut on Wednesday after missing the first month due to a herniated disc in his back. Gasquet showed no ill effects as he breat Ernests Gulbis 6-4, 6-4. Gasquet was not troubled at all on serve by Gulbis as he won 43 of 55 points on serve. His first serve was especially impressive in helping the top seed win 33 of 37 points. Gasquet did not face a single break point in the match. Afterwards, he told reporters that his back felt good, "The good news is that I feel no pain (in the back). There is always apprehension, but I worked hard in January."

Gasquet will continue his title defense in Montpellier in the quarterfinals against Marcos Baghdatis.

Richard Gasquet (Photo: Getty Images)
Richard Gasquet (Photo: Getty Images)

Cilic Upset

While the top seed survived, the number two seed was not so fortunate. Marin Cilic was taken down by up and comer Alexander Zverev 7-6 (4), 7-6 (1). The opening set saw both players drop serve as it wound its way to a tiebreak. Zverev would score the mini-break to open and run out to a 3-0 lead. He would make that mini-break stand up as he coasted to the 7-4 tiebreak win. The set was as tight as they come with Cilic actually winning two more points than Zverev, 40-38.

The second set would be dominated by serve early as both men held fairly easily through the first eight games. Only Zverev offered a break chance and he saved that in the 4th game. Things would get interesting in game nine as the German had to fight through three deuces and four break points to hold to 5-4. After a quick Cilic hold, Zverev stumbled as he was broken at-love to give the second seed a shot to serve for the set at 6-5. Cilic could not accomplish that and the set went to a tiebreak. Zverev again jumped out early to a mini-break after holding his first serve and crushed Cilic the rest of the way to a 7-1 win in the breaker.

Other Results From Wednesday

Elsewhere in Montpellier, 8th seed Marcos Baghdatis rallied in the second set from down 5-2 to oust Taro Daniel in straight sets 6-2, 7-6 (7). In all, Daniel blew seven set points in the second set. A day after dumping 7th seed Borna Coric out of the tournament, Michael Berrer continued his strong play with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Kenny De Schepper. Berrer will battle Alexander Zverev in the quarterfinals.

Thursday's Schedule

Two seeds will make their debuts on Thursday. Third seed Gilles Simon takes on qualifier Dustin Brown. Simon has beat Brown both times they have played in the past. Fourth seed Benoit Paire also starts his campaign in Montpellier as he battles Paul-Henri Mathieu. Edouard Roger-Vasselin will hope to follow up his upset of Monfils in the final match on Court 1. He is scheduled to go against Australian John Millman who whipped Julien Benneteau in straight sets in round one.

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About the author
Chris Spiech
Tennis fan who still is not sure exactly how he became a tennis fan.