Gael Monfils moves on at Moselle Open, takes down Basilashvili

Monfils started off his 2021 season in Australia and it was a sign of things to come. The Frenchman looked like a shell of himself and struggled throughout 2021 continued until the North American swing. It was there that Monfils found some inspiration and started playing much better and continued in Metz this week.

Today against Basilashvili Monfils looked as sharp as ever continually applying pressure on the Georgian who looked sluggish and slow. He played a very long and gruelling match less than 24 hours ago and Monfils was well aware of that. Even so, Basilashvili held on rather well. He only found a breakthrough late in the set breaking his opponent at 4-3 taking the 5-3 lead. He closed the opening set with 6-3.

The 2nd set was a bit easier for Monfils who played even better. Basilasvhili tried but the Georgian simply did not have his best which allowed him to reach the quarterfinal this week. Monfils started off the set by taking a double break lead early 4-0.

After that, it was a pretty standard finish for Monfils who closed it out with 6-3 moving on to his first semifinal in 2021. The Frenchman was overjoyed celebrating with native fans after the match. Good to have 'La Monf' back.