PETE ZIEBRON in CINCINNATI
Gael Monfils awaiting the result of a Challenge that would go against him. Pete Ziebron Images
Gael Monfils hit 14 aces against Jerzy Janowicz, however it was 3 of the 5 double faults that he struck that proved costly in his 64 75 defeat to the Pole. Meanwhile, Fabio Fognini double faulted on consecutive points to end both the 2-3 and 2-5 games in the second set, allowing Thanasi Kokkinakis to square and ultimately win the match last night at the Western & Southern Open.
Monfils, who would hit 1 ace in his opening service game, 2 aces in his second service game and 3 aces in his third service game, unraveled as he served at 3-3. Despite striking 6 aces with no double faults, Monfils opened the seventh game of the match with 2 double faults. Then at 30-40, he double faulted yet again, bookending the game with double faults and allowing Janowicz to edge in front.
Overall, the match featured extremely powerful ball striking as Janowicz crushed a 140 MPH serve. Meanwhile, Monfils seemed to be going for broke with his forehands. While, they looked brilliant when they were hit for winners, he also went very long on several occasions, including hitting the back wall on the fly as he unleashed his forehand.
Jerzy Janowicz defeats Gael Monfils in straight sets in Cincinnati. Pete Ziebron Images
Jerzy Janowicz, who defeated Grigor Dimitrov last year in Cincinnati, was never seriously threatened by Monfils. The only break point he faced came late in the second set. However, the Janowicz power game allowed him to remain in control of the next 3 points as he rallied from a 30-40 deficit to square the 2nd set at 5 all.
Monfils then fell into an immediate 0-40 hole. Although he climbed back to 30-40, Janowicz was able to get the break and then promptly serve out the match to win a highly entertaining contest on Center Court.
Janowicz awaits the winner of the Jared Donaldson - Nicolas Mahut match, which was suspended due to darkness yesterday since Court 6 does not have lights, with Donaldson leading 4-1 in the 3rd set.
Fabio Fognini double faulted at a key point in the match against Thanasi Kokkinakis - it would prove to be costly. Pete Ziebron Images
The Fabio Fognini matchup with Australian qualifier Thanasi Kokkinakis appeared to be going according to script for a set and a half as the veteran Italian frustrated the young Aussie, keeping him off balance with his crafty play.
Fognini broke Kokkinakis at love in the 7th game of the opening set and although he needed to save a break point on his own serve in the next game, held to take a 5-3 lead. Both men held serve in the next 2 games and Fognini took the opening set 6-4.
Surprisingly, it was the play of Fabio Fognini and not his antics that created discomfort for Kokkinakis on court. Several times Fognini wrong footed Kokkinakis as he won points with ease. Kokkinakis wore a look of frustration as he grumbled to his box throughout the opening set and a half.
To his credit, Kokkinakis maintained his poise and took care of his serve each and every time following getting broken at love. He would be rewarded for his diligence, as out of absolutely nowhere, Fognini hit consecutive double faults as her served at 30 all, 3 all in the 2nd set.
Following a Kokkinakis hold at love to get to 5-3, Fognini served to keep the set alive but once again double faulted on consecutive points on the second deuce of the game. Fifteen minutes earlier, it certainly appeared that the veteran and his game would stymie the 19 year-old qualifier, however Kokkinakis stayed the course and it was Fognini that imploded.
Thanasi Kokkinakis held serve to open the 3rd set and then promptly broke Fognini to take a 2-0 lead. Kokkinakis would win his next service game at love and was not threatened on serve until the 7th game of the set when he dug out of a 15-40 hole and won the next 3 points to race to a 5-2 lead.
Following a Fognini hold, Kokkinakis served out the match to win his 3rd consecutive match in Cincinnati. Kokkinakis awaits the winner of the Nick Kyrgios - Richard Gasquet match in the 2nd round.
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