Alcaraz beats Monfils at Shanghai Masters to make quarterfinals

SHANGHAI: Carlos Alcaraz would beat Gael Monfils in straight sets on Wednesday to make it to the quarter finals of the Shanghai Masters.

Monfils did well to withstand Alcaraz’s assault for the first eight games, but it was in the ninth when the Spaniard got his first break of the match. A vicious forehand that Monfils didn’t get enough of his racket to get Alcaraz to break point. It was a pair of backhands that won Alcaraz the game after their pressure caused Monfils to lose his balance and take a tumble in his attempt to return the second.

Alcaraz would close out the set in the next game, winning the set point after Monfils failed to return the Spaniard’s serve.

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Monfils would have more success in the second set. He forced Alcaraz to a deuce while leading five games to four, after the Spaniards forehand ended up in the net. Unfortunately for the French player, Alcaraz would win the next two points. He would take the advantage with a quick forehand that landed right on the side-line. Then he levelled the set after a volley landed too close to the net for Monfils to reach in time.    

Alcaraz would finally take the lead in his third break point of the tenth game. Monfils’ forehand had some vitriol behind it, something that the net didn’t appreciate. The Spaniard would close out the game in the next five points, winning the match with a pair of forehands. The first would place Monfils to Alcaraz’s left, before the World Number 2 picked up the pace, striking the ball to the right with quite a bit of speed.

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Alcaraz will face Tomas Machac in Thursday’s quarterfinals.