Breaking: Carlos Alcaraz Will Cruise past Me, Gael Monfils Concedes in Shanghai Masters Showdown, Promises to Give His All
Gael Monfils shared his thoughts on his upcoming fourth-round encounter against Carlos Alcaraz at the 2024 Shanghai Masters. While the Frenchman has downplayed his chances of winning, he vowed not to make the experience easy for the Spaniard.
Monfils arrived in Shanghai following a disappointing first-round exit in Beijing. However, he appears to have regained his form at the ATP Masters 1000 tournament.The Frenchman kicked off his campaign with a straight-set win against Damir Dzumhur. He followed that up with victories over Sebastian Baez and compatriot Ugo Humbert, setting up a Round of 16 clash with Alcaraz.Gael Monfils sat down for a press conference after his victory over Humbert and discussed facing Carlos Alcaraz, saying:
“I think he will beat me. He will crush me a hundred percent. His level is unbelievable. I have also done great myself, but he’s, as I say, coming up legend. So, I guess he will crush me.”
“But as I say, I will do everything to not be crushed too easy, in a way. It’s going to be a 99 percent chance for him, but just to get a percent, you know, so that’s why you go. I’m going to enjoy myself, but as a real man I tell you, no, this kid is something else,” the World No. 46 added.
“It’s an honor to be on the court with Carlos Alcaraz” – Gael Monfils
While elaborating on facing Carlos Alcaraz in the fourth round of the Shanghai Masters, Gael Monfils stayed firm in his thoughts, saying it’s going to be a “tough” affair. He also noted that being on the court with the 21-year-old is an “honor” for him.
“It will be, for me, a really tough one, and some matches that, you know, you always like to play, in this stage of my career, is to play those great players. As I say, coming up legend,” the Frenchman said.
“For me, it’s just an honor to be on the court with this guy tomorrow, so it’s going to be great to face him again,” he added.
Alcaraz and Monfils are no strangers on the court, having faced each other three times on the ATP Tour. The former took the first two matches at Indian Wells in 2022 and the Miami Masters in 2024, while the latter claimed victory in Cincinnati two months ago.So far in Shanghai, the Spaniard has triumphed over Shang Juncheng and Wu Yibing. If he defeats Monfils on Wednesday, October 9, he could potentially face Tommy Paul, Jannik Sinner, and Novak Djokovic to get his hands on the trophy.
