MONTE CARLO - World No. 44 Gael Monfils set off his 12th appearance at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters with a statement comeback win over Hungarian player Fabian Marozan to set up a fourth career meeting with former champion Andrey Rublev on Monday.
Coming off the back of a remarkable run to the final eighth at the Miami Open presented by Itau by mid-March, Frenchman Gael Monfils picked up where he left off, securing a 4-6, 6-1, 6-1 win over world No. 81 Fabian Marozan in one hour and 42 minutes at Monte-Carlo Country Club on Monday.
The 2016 Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters finalist recovered from a slow start, going from dropping the first set to outplaying his opponent, earning back-to-back triumphs over the Hungarian qualifier, 13 years his junior, showcasing his trademark magic shots on Court Des Princes.
Sports Pundit asked Monfils about the key to his match fitness in between tournaments during his post-match press conference, having in mind three of the four adversaries he faced in Miami, apart from Jiri Lehecka, fell in their respective first-rounders at the first Masters 1000 of the season contested on clay on Monday.
“I’m resting well. I rested well for a few days. I was home with my daughter for a few days. I started hitting in Nimes a few days ago,” said Monfils.
Last weekend, the former world number six took part in the Bastide Mdical UTS Nimes 2025 event launched by Patrick Mouratoglou.
Monfils fell to Czech Tomas Machac in the two-day venue, held at Les Arenes de Nimes amphitheater, ultimately won by Norwegian Casper Ruud.
“I’m building on the confidence I’ve gained. Of course, adapting to clay is a new exercise, a new transition with my team, something I have a lot of experience with, as I’ve been making this transition for many years,” he added.
“I think it’s confidence, and I was a little luckier today.”
The 38-year-old is enjoying a formidable start to the new season, which includes his 13 ATP title, captured after beating Belgian Zizou Bergs at the ASB Classic event staged in New Zealand.
Ever since, he has continued to build upon momentum, a run of form already in motion in 2024, a year in which he stood out, delivering breathtaking performances.
Another top challenge awaits the inspiring French player when he hits the court to face for the fourth time at tour-level world No. 9 Andrey Rublev, a former champion in the Principality.
The seventh seed leads Monfils 2-1 in their series, but they will play one another for the first time on the clay surface in Monte-Carlo.
The 27-year-old added to his team former world No. 1 Marat Safin, a partnership launched on tour at the venue on Sunday, as Rublev joined Karen Khachanov to play doubles, clinching a first-round win over the six-seeded duo Nikola Mektic and Michael Venue in straight sets.
Thus far in 2025, Rublev’s best result came at the Qatar Open, lifting the trophy after defeating Briton Jack Draper in the final last February.
