La Monf dances his way to win over Bublik at UTS Grand Final

It was a match that had music, dancing, smashed racquets and of course amazing shots – and Gael “La Monf” Monfils opened his UTS Grand Final account with a 14-12, 10-16, 16-7, 20-13 win over Alexander Bublik, The Bublik Enemy.

La Monf started the better, taking the first quarter 14-12, although the Bublik Enemy saved a quarter point.

And he and physio Nathanael Pierre celebrated with a dance routine on the sidelines choreographed to the track ‘Jump Around’ – met with much cheering from the audience.

“No dancing! We are here to win! Focus! It’s only the first quarter, come on!” Monfils joked to his coach.

Bublik got Monfils jumping around much more in the second quarter, taking it 16-10, meaning a much more sedate break before the third.

And despite The Bublik Enemy teasing him about his age, La Monf replied calmly that with age comes wisdom.

Bublik’s smashed racquet

However, with age also comes a reduction in energy, and the 37-year-old had to take several breathers in the third quarter, despite being spurred on by the noisy London crowd – to whom he bowed after hitting a magnificent round-the-post winner to take a 15-6 lead.

And when it came to the quarter point, Bublik tried the underarm serve while Monfils was distracted by firing up the crowd – but the Frenchman was still quick enough to race towards the net, make the return, score the point and seal the quarter.

Of course, that triggered another song-and-dance routine alongside Pierre.

The first racquet smash of the weekend came in the fourth quarter from Bublik after hitting a return long, and La Monf continued his dominance to take it 20-13 – and win the match three quarters to one.

You might also like this

UTS Grand Finalist La Monf shares “Three lessons from my wife, Elina”

tennis majors

Rublo Rublev comes from behind to beat Ruud in UTS London

tennis majors

El Peque Schwartzman off to winning start at UTS London, triumphs in thriller v The Rebel Paire

tennis majors