Light earthquake in Indian Wells: Daniil Medvedev, one of the favorites for the title, was eliminated in the 3rd round by the Frenchman Gaël Monfils and will return Novak Djokovic to his position as No. 1 in the world, just three weeks after he dethroned him.
The ground shook at 3.1 on the Richter scale, near the “tennis paradise” of California. I’m not sure this explains the Russian’s poor performance, but after a steady start, he gradually stumbles, it is true against a player, number 26, who ended up upsetting him with nerve and appetite.
Is the new pressure on his shoulders associated with this new regime that would be ephemeral? The necessarily difficult context resulting from the Russian invasion of Ukraine?
No one knows, but one thing is for sure, that Medvedev was not on his plate, the one who had to reach the quarterfinals this year, to ensure that he would remain at the top of the ATP rankings, ahead of Djokovic, he was absent because he was not vaccinated. . against Covid and is therefore not allowed to travel to the United States.
However, he had never passed the 8th and this fifth entry showed again that the California desert is not very successful for him.
His first set, however, gave a look, not a wandering, but a better result than defeat. Well adapted to the defense, returning almost all the balls, he waited for Monfils to break his serve in the 9th game, with four consecutive errors (including two double errors), to then win the first set in another shutout.
broke a racket
But the Parisian boldly played his luck, increasing in intensity in the second set, while changing pace with volley, drop shots and even serve armpits.
The second, in a set point, pushed the Russian to the mistake, to equalize in a set everywhere.
After a visit to the toilets of the two players – longer for Medvedev (about six minutes) – the Frenchman, very fit despite five weeks without fighting due to illness, continued to lead, always changing his blows. And his opponent, guilty of another effortless mistake, to which he is not accustomed, angrily broke his racket on the ground, receiving a warning.
The sequel saw Monfils never untie the noose, playing fair and strong when needed, to offer himself in his 6th match, after 2:07, the second victory of his career on a world N.1 after the one that won in 2009 against Rafael Nadal. .
“It was great. I feel good. I started the year well, I felt strong, I was progressing well. I’m quite happy right now. I’m in my belt and I’m a tough opponent for anyone,” said the Frenchman, who is already confident of running Saturday against the Serb Filip Krajinovic.
It should quickly evacuate any sense of euphoria. Because a very difficult round of 16 awaits him, against the great Spanish hope Carlos Alcaraz (N.19), who did a short work of his compatriot Roberto Bautista (N.15) 6-2, 6-0.
