After the 43rd in the world, the 42nd. Gaël Monfils gains a little confidence before the Australian Open. One day after raising the bar in a good manner against Pedro Martinez – 43rd player in the world – (1-6, 7-6, 6-3), the 38-year-old Parisian only needed two sets to overcome by Jan-Lennard Struff 6-1, 7-6 (7/5). A well-executed success against the 42nd in the world with a few shots which he has the secret to delighting the public. After a defeat in the 2nd round in Brisbane against Novak Djokovic, he will challenge the Argentinian Facundo Diaz Acosta (78th in the world) to try to reach the semi-finals. The latter surprised Cameron Norrie in the first round before dismissing his compatriot Sebastian Baez, seeded number 3. So be wary.
Highly anticipated in the Antipodes a year after his exploits in Melbourne, Arthur Cazaux will not have passed the second round in Adelaide. But he didn't lose without a fight to Felix Auger-Aliassime. He even put up a good resistance to the Canadian, who launched his season with this match. But after having pocketed the first set quite clearly by taking his opponent's service twice, Arthur Cazaux broke down in key moments thereafter. In the second set and the third, he tied the match with the Quebecer before giving up his serve in the last game of the set, each time. So frustrating.
Manuel Guinard unfortunately suffered the same fate. Coming from qualifying, the Frenchman, 261st player in the ATP, fought a great battle against Tommy Paul after defeating Roman Safiullin (7-6, 2-6, 6-1). He even took a set from the number 1 seed. But he gave in in 1h51 against the American (6-4, 3-6, 6-3). On the other hand, the night was happier for Benjamin Bonzi. The latter did not tremble against the local Li Tu 6-3, 6-3 to reach the quarter-finals where he will cross swords with Miomir Kecmanovic.
