Monfils overcomes Wawrinka to lift Rotterdam title
Tennis - ATP 500 - Rotterdam Open - Rotterdam Ahoy, Rotterdam, Netherlands - February 17, 2019 France's Gael Monfils celebrates winning the Rotterdam Open with the trophy REUTERS/Eva Plevier
(Reuters) - France's Gael Monfils overcame a determined Stan Wawrinka to win the Rotterdam Open 6-3 1-6 6-2 on Saturday, lifting his first title since January 2018.
In the first Rotterdam final between two unseeded players since 2008, Monfils raced past his Swiss opponent to convert two break points on his way to sealing the opening set in 36 minutes.
Three-times Grand Slam champion Wawrinka, who was playing his first final since undergoing two knee surgeries in 2017, fought back to clinch the second set but struggled to keep up with Monfils in longer rallies during the decider.
Tennis - ATP 500 - Rotterdam Open - Rotterdam Ahoy, Rotterdam, Netherlands - February 17, 2019 France's Gael Monfils celebrates winning the Rotterdam Open with the trophy alongside runner-up Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka REUTERS/Yves Herman
Despite winning his opening game to love, Wawrinka was broken by Monfils in the third game, while the Frenchman also maintained his service rhythm to dictate play in the final set.
Monfils, the 2016 Rotterdam runner-up, converted another breakpoint to go 5-2 ahead before he served out the match for his eighth career ATP title.
World number 33 Monfils, who reached the Sofia Open semi-finals last week, credited his practice partner Wawrinka for his resurgence, having lost just twice in 11 matches this season.
Tennis - ATP 500 - Rotterdam Open - Rotterdam Ahoy, Rotterdam, Netherlands - February 17, 2019 France's Gael Monfils celebrates winning his Final match against Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka REUTERS/Yves Herman
"You know this win is part of him," said Monfils, who last won an ATP title at the 2018 Qatar Open.
"We've been practising a lot, we've been talking a lot.
"... Sorry I beat you in the final. I hope we can have many more battles."
Tennis - ATP 500 - Rotterdam Open - Rotterdam Ahoy, Rotterdam, Netherlands - February 17, 2019 France's Gael Monfils shakes hands with Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka after winning their Final match REUTERS/Yves Herman
(Reporting by Hardik Vyas in Bengaluru; Editing by Christian Radnedge)
Tennis - ATP 500 - Rotterdam Open - Rotterdam Ahoy, Rotterdam, Netherlands - February 17, 2019 France's Gael Monfils during his Final match against Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka REUTERS/Eva PlevierTennis - ATP 500 - Rotterdam Open - Rotterdam Ahoy, Rotterdam, Netherlands - February 17, 2019 Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka in action during his Final match against France's Gael Monfils REUTERS/Eva PlevierTennis - ATP 500 - Rotterdam Open - Rotterdam Ahoy, Rotterdam, Netherlands - February 17, 2019 France's Gael Monfils in action during his Final match against Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka REUTERS/Yves HermanTennis - ATP 500 - Rotterdam Open - Rotterdam Ahoy, Rotterdam, Netherlands - February 17, 2019 France's Gael Monfils celebrates winning the Rotterdam Open with the trophy alongside runner-up Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka REUTERS/Eva PlevierTennis - ATP 500 - Rotterdam Open - Rotterdam Ahoy, Rotterdam, Netherlands - February 17, 2019 France's Gael Monfils celebrates winning the Rotterdam Open with the trophy alongside runner-up Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka REUTERS/Eva Plevier
Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
