Carlos Alcaraz will be out to avenge one of his worst losses of the year.
Gael Monfils already believes he has lost his upcoming Shanghai Masters match against Carlos Alcaraz.
The 38-year-old tour veteran shocked the world No. 2 at the recent Cincinnati Open.
But Monfils is already expecting Alcaraz to get his revenge when they meet in the fourth round.
Monfils is through to the last 16 of the Shanghai Masters for the first time in 11 years. But he will have a tough test if he wants to match his best-ever result at the tournament – a quarter-final.
The former world No. 6 takes on second seed Alcaraz on Wednesday. Monfils shocked Alcaraz in the Spaniard’s opening match at the Cincinnati Open, leaving the 20-year-old so frustrated he smashed his racket for the first time.
Despite upsetting the four-time Grand Slam champion in their last meeting, Monfils has all but thrown the towel in already. Asked if he could repeat his feat, the Frenchman replied: “No, no, I think he will beat me. He will crush me a hundred per cent, you know.
Gael Monfils and Carlos Alcaraz are set for a highly anticipated rematch at the 2023 Shanghai Masters, with both players carrying significant narratives into the fourth-round clash. This meeting holds extra weight for both competitors after their previous encounter at the Cincinnati Open, where Monfils shocked the tennis world by defeating the current World No. 2.
At the Cincinnati Open earlier this year, Monfils, now 38, managed to secure an unexpected victory against Alcaraz in what was one of the Spaniard’s worst defeats of the season. Alcaraz, known for his fiery competitiveness and strong mental resilience, was visibly frustrated by the upset, even to the point of smashing his racket, a rare outburst from the young star. The defeat marked one of the few times in recent memory when Alcaraz was taken off his game so completely.
Heading into their Shanghai Masters showdown, Monfils, a former world No. 6, has voiced little confidence in his ability to pull off a similar upset. Despite his incredible career and undeniable talent, Monfils has admitted he is not expecting to win this match. In a recent interview, the Frenchman candidly stated, “No, no, I think he will beat me. He will crush me a hundred per cent.” His humility and self-deprecation may be a sign of respect for Alcaraz’s talents, but they also reflect Monfils’ own awareness of his current form compared to the younger, more physically dominant Spaniard.
Monfils has had a remarkable career, full of spectacular moments of athleticism and showmanship, and his journey to the fourth round of the Shanghai Masters is a testament to his resilience. At 38 years old, Monfils has defied expectations by reaching the last 16 of the tournament for the first time in 11 years. This accomplishment is particularly impressive given his history of injuries and fluctuating form in recent years. However, he faces a daunting task if he wishes to go further and match his career-best result at the Shanghai Masters, where he previously reached the quarter-finals.
Carlos Alcaraz, on the other hand, enters the match with something to prove. As the second seed in the tournament and one of the brightest young stars in tennis, Alcaraz will be eager to avenge his previous loss to Monfils. The Spaniard is known for his aggressive playing style, powerful groundstrokes, and remarkable speed on the court. At just 20 years old, Alcaraz has already won four Grand Slam titles and is widely regarded as the future of men’s tennis. His loss to Monfils in Cincinnati was a rare blemish on an otherwise stellar season, and he will be determined to show that it was an anomaly.
In the lead-up to the match, Alcaraz has likely spent time analyzing what went wrong in Cincinnati and how Monfils managed to disrupt his rhythm. One of Alcaraz’s greatest strengths is his ability to learn from his mistakes and adapt his game accordingly. Fans can expect to see a more focused and composed Alcaraz on the court in Shanghai, as he looks to assert his dominance from the very start of the match.
For Monfils, the challenge will be finding a way to replicate his success from Cincinnati. His athleticism and creativity on the court have always been his trademarks, but against a player like Alcaraz, he will need to be at his absolute best. Monfils will have to rely on his experience and tactical nous to keep Alcaraz off-balance and prevent the young Spaniard from dictating the tempo of the match.
Despite Monfils’ comments downplaying his chances, tennis matches are never won on paper. Alcaraz may be the favorite, but Monfils has proven time and again that he can rise to the occasion, especially when the odds are against him. If Monfils can find the same form that led him to victory in Cincinnati, this match could be far more competitive than many expect.
The match between Monfils and Alcaraz is also a compelling generational clash. Monfils, at 38, represents the last vestiges of an era of tennis characterized by flamboyant shot-making and extraordinary physicality. Alcaraz, 20 years his junior, embodies the future of the sport, where power, speed, and consistency are key. Watching these two players with contrasting styles and at different stages in their careers face off is a reminder of the constant evolution of the sport and the passing of the torch from one generation to the next.
As the fourth-round match approaches, all eyes will be on how Alcaraz handles the pressure of seeking revenge and whether Monfils can summon the energy and magic that made him such a formidable player in his prime. The outcome of the match could have significant implications for both players moving forward in the tournament, and for Monfils, it may represent one of his final opportunities to make a deep run in a Masters event.
Regardless of the result, the showdown between Alcaraz and Monfils promises to be an entertaining affair, full of high-quality tennis and dramatic moments. Fans of the sport will no doubt be eager to see if the young star can overcome the veteran or if Monfils has one more upset left in him.