2011 French Open: Gael Monfils defeats Bjorn Phau in the first round
Local hope Gael Monfils, ranked ninth in the world, survived an opening set scare to down world number 145 Bjorn Phau of Germany in four sets 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 6-0 in the first round of the French Open at Roland Garros in France on
Monday. It took the French two hours and seventeen minutes to oust his opponent in a tough opening round clash.
Monfils did not have a good start to the match as he committed five unforced errors in the first three games, getting broken in the third game of the first set to trail 1-2. Phau consolidated on the single break of serve and won
the set 6-4.
The German hit one ace and 44 percent of the first deliveries in the opening set, converting 81 percent of them into points. The right-handed capitalized on one of the three break point opportunities he created on Monfils’ serve
and saved both break points he faced on his own serve in the first set.
The French fought back, breaking Phau in the sixth game of the second set and holding his serve in the next game to go ahead 5-2. Monfils did not allow Phau to break back and served out the set at 5-3.
The 24-year-old claimed 35 percent of the points on the first returns in the second set. The right-handed converted the only break point he received and did not face any break point in the second set.
In the third set, Monfils broke Phau in the opening game to take a 1-0 lead. However, he failed to consolidate on it and was broken in the very next game, levelling the score at 1-1. The set went with serve in the next eight games
to square off the score at 5-5. Finally, Monfils got the breakthrough in the eleventh game, hitting a backhand winner at break point. The French served out the set in the next game, winning it 7-5.
Monfils improved his first serve percentage as compared to the previous two sets, delivering 62 percent of the first serves and claiming 78 percent of the points on them in the third set.
After getting two sets to one lead, Monfils never looked back and crushed his opponent in the fourth set. The French did not allow Phau to claim even a single game, breaking the German three times and winning the set 6-0.
The six feet and four inches tall kept improving his serve as he fired 73 percent of the first serves in the fourth set and bagged an incredible 91 percent of the points on them. The French hit two aces and two winners in the fourth
set.
Monfils will face compatriot Guillaume Rufin in the second round. Rufin defeated Adrian Mannarino in straight sets 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 in the first round on Sunday.
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