UTS Grand Final: De Minaur wears down Monfils to reach title clash in London
The Aussie beat Gael Monfils 10-14, 14-11, 15-8, 14-6 on Sunday to reach the final
© UTS
Alex “The Demon” de Minaur defeated Gael “La Monf” Monfils 10-14, 14-11, 15-8, 14-6 in the first semi-final of the 2024 UTS Grand Final London at Copper Box Arena on Sunday, December 8.
Playing for a spot in the final, Monfils started positively by winning the first quarter but De Minaur wore the 38-year-old down to eventually prevail and reach his third title clash on the UTS Tour.
Quarter 1: Monfils on the move
Monfils raced to a 4-0 lead before De Minaur could win his first point of the match. The Aussie then tried to find his way back into the battle but the Frenchman reigned supreme in a couple of longer rallies midway through the quarter to stay on top.
Monfils then committed his first fault of the match but immediately used his bonus card, leading 10-7, and managed to secure three points.
With only eight seconds left in the quarter, De Minaur used his bonus card in desperation and succeeded in bringing the deficit to three points again as Monfils rushed to the net but ended up sending a drop shot wide. Score 13-10 for the Frenchman!
The clock ran out and it meant the first to 14 points would win and Monfils secured the quarter after The Demon sent a cross-court wide.
“I’m pumped,” Monfils said after the quarter. “It was a good one. Tried to be aggressive on a few shots because I know Alex is one of the best defenders. I will have to use my head.”
“I’ve been in this position before,” De Minaur claimed. “I don’t bring my best tennis in the first quarter but the second quarter is mine.”
Quarter 2: De Minaur equalises
The second quarter opened on a similar note, with Monfils taking a 4-1 lead but De Minaur caught up this time to draw the scores at 4-4.
The two players then tested each other’s patience, exchanging points until the Aussie took the lead for the first time in the match at 9-8. He won another before the veteran pulled out the bonus card and converted to pass his opponent and take a 10-11 lead.
In response, De Minaur pressed the bonus card buzzer on his side and won three points to regain the lead. It once again came down to the first-to-14 scenario but it was the world No 9’s turn as he took the quarter-point to equalise.
Quarter 3: Monfils runs out of gas
The third quarter turned into a physical battle quickly as Monfils began struggling to catch his breath after nearly every point.
De Minaur secured a 7-3 lead but gave away cheap points to his opponent and the score reached 7-7. He regrouped in time and took the lead once again before Monfils used his bonus card, trailing 10-8. “La Monf” failed to cash in on the advantage but De Minaur did, converting his bonus card to first extend his lead to 14-8 and then reaching 15 points first to win the quarter with a cross-court winner.
“It’s gotta be physical,” the Aussie declared. “I’m looking forward to this fourth quarter.”
“I can’t really pass him from the baseline,” Monfils accepted his limitations as he ran out of gas. “It’s really challenging with the lungs. I need to change the tactics.”
Quarter 4: De Minaur remains invincible in London
“La Monf” nearly gave up in the fourth quarter as he continued to struggle with his breath.
De Minaur shifted gears after creating a 7-3 lead and won his eighth point despite dropping a racquet midway through the rally. He registered his ninth point with a stunning pass down the line and later advanced to a 12-5 lead.
Monfils opted for another bonus card but couldn’t do enough to convert. The Aussie used his bonus card right after but met a similar fate. The clock hit zero at 13-6 in favour of De Minaur, who then reached the 14th point to stay invincible in London.
