A “tired and sore” Gael Monfils scrapped to a three sets victory over big-serving American Taylor Dent in a gripping first round match at the Brisbane International tennis tournament on Tuesday night.
Frenchman Monfils triumphed 7-6 (7-1) 6-7 (5-7) 6-2 in two hours, 13 minutes despite his coach, Australian Roger Rasheed, being away sick in his hometown Adelaide.
The robust Dent – who has a physique completely opposite to beanstalk Monfils – fought valiantly against the world No.13 but was just a fraction outclassed.
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It wasn’t until the fifth game of the deciding set that either player dropped served and unfortunately it was Dent, allowing his third-seeded opponent to close out the match in style.
“I just tried to fight hard,” said Monfils, who retired hurt from the fourth round of last year’s Australian Open with a wrist injury.
The French No.2, who sent down nine aces, showed his frustrations at what he considered some dubious line-calls.
“I got a little bit crazy with the linesmen,” he admitted.
“I think sometimes they are a little bit sleepy.
“I knew it would be a tough match but it’s a great win for the first match (of the season).
“I need to have a match like that. Every time I have to be alert and see what I can do better.
“I had to fight against myself just to relax because I can get very frustrated playing like that.” Dent, who never gave up the fight, described Monfils as the fastest player on the ATP Tour.
But it definitely took too much time for Monfils’ liking for him to gain the ascendancy.
“I still think I’m a little bit tired, a little bit sore,” the 23-year-old said.
“I think definitely I’ll be at my peak for the Australian Open.” The agile Monfils next faces compatriot Florent Serra, who earlier on Tuesday downed German Julian Reister in another tight three-sets match.