Monfils stuns Tsitsipas in Toronto, recording biggest win in over a year

Lamonf is back in business in Toronto! The 26-year-old Frenchman battled past Stefanos Tsitsipas in Toronto on Wednedsay, 6-4, 6-3, recording his first top 5 win of the season against the world No 4.

Monfils, a two-time semi-finalist at the National Bank Open, earns his 35th career top 10 win and sets a round of 16 clash with either Sebastian Korda or Aleksandar Vukic.

How did he manage to close out the talented Greek on a hot day in Toronto?

“Always the same,” Monfils said. “Stay really calm in the head and go for simple choices, try to be really simple.”

Monfils converted his second match point with Tsitsipas serving.

“Maybe I was too simple on the first match point,” he said. “Just be cool, and try to do what I was doing during the match – no panic.”

350th hard court win! 😮@Gael_Monfils rolls back the years and takes out Tsitsipas in Toronto!#NBO23 pic.twitter.com/u9L8TIvKZz

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 9, 2023

Monfils, ranked No 276, will play the winner of the match between American Sebastian Korda and Australian lucky loser Aleksandar Vukic next.

350 hard court wins!

In addition to racking up his 14th top 5 victory, Monfils improves to 350-182 on hard courts over the course of his career.

The 36-year-old Frenchman beat American Christopher Eubanks (7-6 (3), 6-7 (4), 6-1) ahead of his victory.

Toronto Masters, other second-round results (Aviva Centre, hard, USD 6.600.000, most recent results first):

• Marcos Giron vs. Holger Rune
• Carlos Alcaraz vs. Ben Shelton
• Sebastian Korda vs. Aleksandar Vukic
• Tommy Paul vs. Francisco Cerundolo
• Matteo Berrettini vs. Jannik Sinner
• Max Purcell vs. Andy Murray
• Alexander Zverev vs. Alejandro Davidovich Fokina: wednesday
• Gabriel Diallo vs. Alex De Minaur: wednesday
• Daniil Medvedev (2) beat Matteo Arnaldi (Q): 6-2, 7-5
• Lorenzo Musetti vs. Thanasi Kokkinakis: wednesday
• Hubert Hurkacz (15) beat Miomir Kecmanovic: 5-7, 6-3, 6-0
• Milos Raonic (WC) beat Taro Daniel (Q): 6-4, 6-3
• Taylor Fritz (8) beat Ugo Humbert: 7-6 (7), 3-6, 6-3
• Mackenzie McDonald beat Andrey Rublev (6): 6-4, 6-3
• Casper Ruud (3) beat Jiri Lehecka: 7-6 (6), 6-4