Gael Monfils of France in action during the Rotterdam Open. (Getty Images)
Gael Monfils came back from a set down to win 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 against Medvedev at the Indian Wells Masters
Gael Monfils stunned the No.1 seed to win an intensely fought Round of 32 match. Monfils was coming off a straight-sets victory in the first round against Filip Krajinovic while Medvedev comfortably defeated unseeded Tomas Machac to set up the clash against the Frenchman. Monfils seeded 26th was the underdog in the clash and not many gave him a chance against the in-form World No.1.
Medvedev clinched the first set quite easily as was expected however things did turn from thereon. Monfils outclassed Medvedev in the second set which left the Russian so frustrated that he smashed the racquet against the court. The third and deciding set was no different and Monfils brushed aside Medvedev in no time causing one of the major upsets this year.
Speaking after the match, Monfils said, “I’m quite happy right now – I’m in my zone. I moved quite good and then I changed the speed quite a lot.” It was the first time in 13 years that Monfils had got the better of a number one ranked player in the world. The Frenchman is now scheduled to face Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz in the next round. Alcaraz is in hot form, recently winning the ATP 500 Rio Open. The teenager is also coming off a comprehensive win against higher seed Bautista Agut in the previous. A 35-year old veteran against the 18-year old teenager, this Round of 16 match at the Indian Wells is a clash that is bound to grab eyeballs!
Medvedev’s loss to Monfils means Novak Djokovic is set to be back as the World No. 1. Medvedev had dethroned Djokovic to take the top spot but he is set to lose it to the Serbian after a brief stay.
Daniil Medvedev became World No. 1 after Novak Djokovic lost in the quarter-final of the Dubai Tennis Championships. Medvedev himself lost the semi final of the Mexican Open to Rafael Nadal.
However, a loss for the Serbian earlier meant Medvedev’s loss didn’t stop him from becoming No. 1. Medvedev became the first man outside the Big Four (Djokovic, Nadal, Federer and Murray) to be crowned No. 1 since 2004. The sheer dominance by these 4 players over the years is unparalleled to any era. Djokovic was No. 1 was for a record 361 cumulative weeks.
Djokovic’s return to the top was in jeopardy due to his vaccination status. The Serbian missed a number of tournaments because he is unvaccinated. However, Djokovic is likely to participate in the upcoming Monte Carlo Masters and the Roland Garros.
Earlier, French authorities had announced that unvaccinated players won’t be allowed to take part however in a recent announcement the French PM stayed that restrictions with regards to vaccination pass won’t be in effect from March 14. This announcement comes as a major boost to Djokovic who can now play the tournaments to fight and defend his No. 1 spot.
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