ATP Shanghai Masters, Tsitsipas v Monfils: Story of the match

The ATP Shanghai masters' main draw got off to a start today. Stefanos Tsitsipas and Gael Monfils started off their encounter in the Centre Court. Like the previous match on the court between Francis Tiafoe and Matt Ebden, this one would go the distance too.

The contest went for well over 2 hours as both the players traded blows throughout. The Frenchman wasted set points in the first set and lost it while the Greek had way too many unforced errors to lose the second. Usually, one does not see these players express their emotions as much as they did today.

Both had their reasons though, for Monfils it was to remind us his worth as a player and for Tsitsipas it was to keep the surge in rankings going. It was the latter that came out on top cashing in on the former's lapses in concentration winning 7-6 4-6 6-3. Here are the stories from each set of the first round match:

Chapter 1 - The First Set

Tsitsipas reaches for the ball in his 1st set against Monfils, Shanghai Masters

Tsitsipas drew first blood, breaking the Monfils serve in the first game with 2 good points from 30-30. He consolidated the break and was leading 3-1 going into the 5th game. Monfils saved a break point in that game and turned it on the next game. He broke the Tsitsipas serve in his 3rd break point of the game.

His serve was put to the ultimate test as his opponent raced to 0-40, but the Frenchman won 5 points in a row to go level. In the very next game, it was the Greek who saved 2 break points to stop his rival's flow.

Being ahead 6-5 Monfils wasted one of 3 set points off his adversary's serve trying a fancy drop shot to a perfectly smashable ball. That would prove costly as Stefanos Tsitsipas won the tie-break in a canter.

Chapter 2 - The Second Set

Gael Monfils gets inside the line to smack a forehand vs Tsitsipas, Shanghai Masters

The second set was definitely the best in terms of shot quality as both the players reached top gear. One of the highlights of the set, maybe even the match was when Monfils sent a crosscourt shot flying in reply to Tsitsipas' forehand topspin. The ball took a sharp angle towards his right and he was well off-court when he met with it.

Both the players played a whole lot of delightful passing shots, especially Monfils. Tsitsipas' strength throughout was his anticipation of net volleys, both on and off serve. He hit way too many sweet volleys to mention each one. The best one came when he mistimed the previous volley but set himself up beautifully, stretching to make use of his 2nd bite at the cherry.

Coming to the scoreline the players were very comfortable on serve except for a few times. Serves went to deuce only twice, one time off each of their serves. Gael Monfils broke in the 7th game and held the remaining serves to take the set.

Chapter 3 - The Third Set

2018 Rolex Shanghai Masters - Tsitsipas moves in for a volley

The plot of the third set started in a similar fashion to the 2nd with both players executing their favourite shots well. If anything, Monfils and Tsitsipas were holding onto serves even better. But, it all changed in and after the 8th game of the set.

The No.10 seed having held serve to love in the previous game broke immediately without much difficulty. The unseeded player though got the break back in a jiffy after setting up a break point with a stinging forehand following a jumping backhand. With the expectations for a deciding tiebreaker increasing Monfils stood at the line, serving to stay in the match.

Tsitsipas got the crucial first point before Monfils equalled. He won the next two points to hold 2 match point opportunities. The Frenchman struck back with a glorious pass but it was too little too late. Stefanos Tsitspas forced an error to win the set and match.

Here is the full highlights package of the match (via ACJ Sports, YouTube):