Monfils Moves Past Kohlschreiber In Metz
Third seed Gael Monfils continued his dominant record over Philipp Kohlschreiber on Thursday, defeating the lucky loser 7-6(2), 6-4 at the Moselle Open to reach his second tour-level quarter-final of the season.
The Frenchman, who defeated Kohlschreiber in the 2009 final in Metz, was strong behind his first serve, winning 83 per cent (39/47) of points on his first delivery to advance after one hour and 33 minutes.
“It felt great,” Monfils said. “It is always good to come back at home in France. I felt like I had a good performance and Philipp played quite well. It took a bit of time to adapt and then at the end it was a little bit cat and mouse with the serve. I am glad I won it in straight sets.”
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Monfils now leads Kohlschreiber 15-2 in their ATPHead2Head Series, winning the past seven meetings between the pair, a run that stretches back to 2013. The World No. 20 will next face Nikoloz Basilashvili after the eighth seed overcame Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 0-6, 6-4, 7-6(4).
On his record against Kohlschreiber, Monfils said: “I feel lucky. I get through with a bit more luck than Philipp. It is not easy matches, maybe a couple, but most of those [matches] are pretty tight like tonight.”
The 35-year-old overcame Australian Alex de Minaur in Cincinnati to earn his 500th tour-level victory. One week earlier, he reached the quarter-finals in Toronto. The 10-time tour-level titlist is aiming to win his first ATP Tour trophy since he triumphed in Rotterdam in 2020.
Kohlschreiber, who moved past Marco Cecchinato in the first round, was aiming to reach his second tour-level quarter-final of the season, having enjoyed a run to the last eight on home soil in Halle.