Monfils shrugs off locked back to reach semis at UTS London
The 38-year-old lost to Ugo Humbert in sudden death, but that was enough to qualify
@ UTS
Gael Monfils is through to the semi-finals of UTS London by Builder.ai despite losing his last Group A match to fellow Frenchman, Ugo Humbert in sudden death at the Copper Box on Saturday.
The 38-year-old – La Monf – locked his back in the first quarter but battled back brilliantly to force his match into sudden death – exactly what he needed to do to qualify for the Final Four.
Humbert, who won the match 20-11, 17-9, 10-14, 9-13, 2-0, could yet join Monfils in the semis, depending on the result of later matches.
“”I don’t know what it is, but whenever we play each other, one of us gets injured,” Monfils joked after the second quarter. “We like to play each other but always one of us doesn’t finish the match.
“Thank you (to the crowd). You pushed me hard, I really wanted to be in the semis and I promise I will be 100 percent tomorrow.”
Monfils injury concern
Humbert needed a 3-0 win to be assured of a place in the semi-finals and though he was helped considerably by Monfils’ physical issues, he was also on top of his game, after a shaky start.
The Commander was leading 9-5 in the first quarter of their eagerly-anticipated encounter when Monfils locked up his back. He continued, but was clearly hampered in the rest of the quarter as Humbert took it 20-11.
Monfils left the court at the end of the quarter for treatment and emerged a few minutes later, the crowd giving him a huge reception when he returned, picked up his racket and continued.
The 38-year-old then won the first point of the second quarter after an 18-shot rally, and looked much better as the second quarter began. The quarter was much more competitive throughout but Humbert pulled ahead when he won his bonus card to lead 15-9 with very little time to go, and held on to double the advantage.
Monfils hits back, against the odds
Monfils said he would do his best “but it’s hard when you are old sometimes and you don’t have a warm-up”. La Monf battled o. Humbert was in charge at 8-4 but suddenly, Monfils found some form, staying close enough to put some pressure on his opponent.
At 10-10, Monfils played his bonus card – and won it – and when Humbert could not match him, the quarter went to La Monf.
Suddenly, Monfils was moving like the star he is, turning defence into attack in stunning fashion on his way to an 8-4 lead in the fourth quarter. He maintained his momentum to win the fourth quarter 13-9 and force sudden death.
It was Humbert who took it, 2-0, but Monfils knew he was already through. Humbert has to wait.
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