Gael Monfils outclasses Galarneau to secure a second round vs. Auger-Aliassime at Indian Wells
The French veteran marks 21 years since his Indian Wells debut with a clinical 6-3, 6-4 victory over Alexis Galarneau to set up a blockbuster second-round clash.
Gaël Monfils, Indian Wells 2025 | © Tennis Majors / Tristan Lapierre
Twenty-one years after first stepping onto the hard courts of the Coachella Valley, Gael Monfils proved that his showmanship remains as sharp as his competitive edge. The Frenchman overcame a sluggish start to defeat Canadian Alexis Galarneau 6-3, 6-4 on Thursday night, moving into the round of 64 at the BNP Paribas Open.
The opening exchanges suggested an upset might be brewing, as Galarneau broke early to race into a 2-0 lead. However, the momentum shifted abruptly. Once Monfils found his rhythm, the encounter transformed into a clinic. The Frenchman reeled off a series of games to take the first set 6-3, neutralizing the Canadian’s pace with his trademark defensive coverage.
The second set remained competitive until the business end. At 6-3, 4-3, Monfils sent the Stadium crowd into a frenzy, punctuating a baseline rally with a signature jumping smash that served as the highlight of the night. After 1 hour and 23 minutes, the “French Entertainer” closed out the match, ensuring his longevity in the desert continues.
Having dispatched one Canadian, Monfils now prepares for a high-profile encounter against another: Felix Auger-Aliassime. “I still love the game, and I still love the show,” Monfils noted during his post-match on-court interview. “Coming back here after two decades feels special every single time.”
Indian Wells 2026: Men’s Singles First Round Results
- Denis Shapovalov – Stefanos Tsitsipas: 6-1, 3-6, 6-4
- Joao Fonseca – Raphael Collignon: 7-6[2], 6-4
- Zachary Svajda – Marin Cilic: 7-6[5], 6-4
- Gael Monfils – Alexis Galarneau: 6-3, 6-4
- Jenson Brooksby – Alexei Popyrin: 6-3, 6-4
- Dino Prizmic – Tristan Schoolkate: 7-6[5], 3-6, 7-5
- Matteo Berrettini – Adrian Mannarino: 4-6, 7-5, 7-5
- Marton Fucsovics – Christopher O’Connell: 7-5, 6-3
- Dalibor Svrcina – James Duckworth: 6-2, 6-4
- Gabriel Diallo – Mattia Bellucci: 7-6[5], 6-4
- Reilly Opelka – Ethan Quinn: 7-5, 7-6[3]
- Zizou Bergs – Jan-Lennard Struff: 6-3, 6-4
- Miomir Kecmanovic – Daniel Altmaier: 6-3, 1-0 (Ret.)
- Adam Walton – Quentin Halys: 6-3, 6-3
- Marcos Giron – Mariano Navone: 4-6, 7-5, 6-3
- Camilo Ugo Carabelli – Martin Damm: 7-6[5], 6-3
