Gael Monfils is making a reputation for himself in Indian Wells! The veteran scored two victories for the eighth time within the desert and wrote historical past books. Gael defeated Sebastian Korda 7-6, 7-6 within the second spherical and reached the final 32.
At 38 years and 6 months, Monfils turned the third-oldest participant within the Masters 1000 third spherical. The Frenchman left behind Stan Wawrinka and Roger Federer and moved nearer to Ivo Karlovic and Jimmy Connors.
Gael has been taking part in at a excessive degree this yr, lifting a trophy in Auckland and reaching the Australian Open fourth spherical. Monfils will search his place within the final 16 in opposition to Grigor Dimitrov on Monday night time.
GAEL MONFILS POURSUIT SA GROSSE SAISON 🔥🇫🇷
Le Français a dominé cette nuit Sebastian Korda 🇺🇸 en 2 tiebreaks (7-6, 7-6) pour rallier le 3ème tour à Indian Wells 🇺🇸 !!! 🤩
Il affrontera Grigor Dimitrov 🇧🇬, vainqueur de Nuno Borges 🇵🇹. 🍿pic.twitter.com/qXTSXL06Gi
— Recreation, Set & Speak (@GameSetAndTalk) March 9, 2025
Monfils took essential factors in opposition to Korda and sealed the deal in straight units for an additional milestone. The Frenchman had the sting on serve and return and claimed 9 factors greater than his rival. Gael served at 53% and sprayed 9 double faults.
Nevertheless he denied 4 of six break factors and seized two of seven break alternatives. Each gamers hit extra unforced errors than winners, and Gael tamed his strokes extra effectively. The veteran embraced an 18-27 ratio and welcomed 38 errors from the opposite facet.
Gael Monfils, Indian Wells 2025© Stream screenshot
Monfils hit extra service winners and had the higher hand on the web to seal the deal and transfer into the subsequent spherical. The Frenchman saved a break level within the fifth sport of the opener and confronted three extra at 4-4. He denied them and precipitated the rival’s mistake to stay on the optimistic facet.
Sebastian served to remain within the set at 5-6 and provided his opponent three set factors. The house participant denied them and held to introduce a tie break. Gael claimed all 5 factors on serve and clinched an early mini-break within the second level.
Gael Monfils, Indian Wells 2025© Stream screenshot
Monfils drew Korda’s mistake for 5-2 and transformed the primary set level at 6-2 after the rival’s free forehand. They traded breaks in the course of the second set. Sebastian netted a routine backhand within the eleventh sport, dropping serve and falling 6-5 behind.
Korda saved his composure and painted a backhand down the road winner within the twelfth sport for a break at love, introducing a tie break. Gael led 3-0 earlier than Sebastian climbed again to 3-3. The youthful participant missed a forehand within the ninth level and fell 5-4 behind.
Gael Monfils, Indian Wells 2025© Stream screenshot
The 38-year-old generated two match factors with a strong serve and transformed the primary with a forehand winner that despatched him excessive.
