Gael Monfils turns 39 this year. After numerous injuries and setbacks, the French veteran is still eager to perform at his best and chase ATP titles, at least the small ones. Gael is playing well at this week's ATP 250 event in Auckland.
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The Frenchman barely survived the first round and raised his level, scoring three wins and collecting his 73rd ATP semi-final at 38! Monfils faced Facundo Diaz Acosta in the quarter-final and scored a one-sided 6-1, 6-3 victory in an hour and 17 minutes.
The veteran will compete in his first ATP semi-final since June last year, having reached the last four at least once for 21 consecutive seasons! Gael fired 16 service winners and landed 19 winners and 22 unforcederrors.
Diaz Acosta wrapped up the duel with a poor 11-25 ratio. Hesprayedtoo many mistakes from his forehand and endedhis campaign in the quarter-final. Both players struggled behind the second serve. Monfils made a difference behind the first serve.
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The veteran denied all three break points and provided four breaks from seven opportunities to control the scoreboard. The Argentine served well early on and created two break points in the fourth game. Monfils denied them and remained on the positive side.
The Frenchman found the rhythm on the return in the seventh game. He fired a forehand down the line winner for a break and a 4-3 advantage. Facundo served to stay in the set at 3-5 and missed numerous game points.
Gael extended the game and landed a running forehand winner on a set point for 6-3 in 37 minutes. Diaz Acosta experienced a setback in the fourth game of the second set. He missed multiple game points and faced three break points.
Monfils seized the last with a backhand down the line winner at the net, opening a set and a break lead. A left-hander played another loose service game at 1-4, suffering another break and sending the former top-10 plater closer to the top.
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Gael served for the win at 5-1 and denied a break point. The veteran landed a backhand down the line winner on a match point, sealing the deal and moving into the last four. Is this the first Auckland semi-final for Monfils? No, it's actually the second.
He reached the last four in 2013, falling to David Ferrer. Interestingly, Gael debuted at this tournament 18 years ago, losing in the first round.
