In what proved a remarkable turnround, Gael Monfils recovered from a set and break down to squeeze past Cameron Norrie 6-7(5) 7-6(5) 6-3 to make the last 16 at the Indian Wells Masters.
Norrie, a former champion of the event and seeded 28 for this edition, looked in total command as he survived a thrilling opening set on a tight tiebreak after one-hour and 20-minutes of intense fluctuating play which left the veteran 37-year-old Frenchman gasping for breath at the changeover. Consequently, and it wasn’t surprising to see Norrie then stride into a 3-0 lead in the second.
Despite his age, the lanky Monfils remains agile and speedy around the court, stepped up his own game to level and basically turn the match on its head and earn himself a stunning victory after three-hours and 12-minutes.
From the opening moments it was clear this was going to be a tight encounter with Norrie earning an early break following a lengthy opening game by converting his sixth break point!
Monfils then recovered the break in the sixth game for 3-3 but at 5-5 following another lengthy game, Monfils’ fourth double fault handed Norrie his 20th break point of the match!
Unfortunately for Monfils, his sixth double fault then provided Norrie with the opportunity to serve out in the next which he failed to do, as his opponent hit back to convert the third of three break points he raised, to force a tie break.
Momentum swung both ways in the early stage of the tiebreak but it was Norrie that finally brought it to s conclusion leaving Monfils gasping for breath.
Ans seeing that, Norrie took full advantage to romp into a 3-0 lead and seemingly on his way to roll into the fourth round but again, Monfils, after a quick world with his coach, presented a refreshed adversary who was able to hold his own, breaking Norrie in the sixth game to bring he pair back level on serve.
Again, the two held for the tie breaker which this time, saw Monfils edge through.
Monfils continued his resurgent form and struck the decisive blow in the third set to break Norrie for 5-3.
Norrie could not match the world No.70’s efforts to come from behind to take the match to a third tiebreak, as the veteran successfully fended him off to bring a dramatic encounter to an end.
Monfils faces the 9th seed, Norway’s Casper Ruud in the fourth round following his comfortable 6-2 6-4 win over Arthur Fils, the French 19-year-old who has a great future.
Cameron Norrie reflects on what could have been
(Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
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