Paris at the U.S. Open: Gaël Monfils Dominating the Courts

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Paris at the U.S. Open: Gaël Monfils Dominating the Courts
La fin de l’été. The end of summer. As summer comes to an end, it signals the beginning of many things: shorter days, school supplies shopping, the return of pumpkin-flavored things, and the disturbing realization that Christmas will be here in a flash. The end of summer also means the U.S. Open at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing, just outside of New York City. Arthur Ashe is the favorite tennis player of, and role model to, the masterful tennis player – and native Parisian – Gaël Monfils (he now resides in Trélex, Switzerland). Gaël Monfils is known for his showmanship, his jumps, his slides, and his self-confidence. It’s no wonder Ashe is a hero to him. Ashe, full of confidence himself, believed it was the key to success, saying once: “One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation.” Ashe, a world number one tennis player who won three Grand Slams, was the first black player to be chosen for the U.S. Davis Cup Team. Ashe was known not only as a tennis champion, but also an advocate and unofficial spokesman for AIDs awareness and research. Monfils squared off against countryman Lucas Pouille (born in Grande-Synthe, France) in the afternoon of September 6 for the mens quarterfinals. Leading up to their match, Monfils had won every single game he played in at the Open this year. Pouille, decked out in hot pink shorts and a matching baseball cap and shoes, couldn’t keep up with Monfils’ incomparable speed, agility, and – it goes without saying – entertainment value. Monfils started strong and dominated throughout, leading to a straight set victory over Pouille; 3 sets to none! Later that evening, Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (born in Le Mans, France), played against Serbian tennis player (and currently ranked world number one in men’s singles), Novak Doković. Tsonga won all his matches leading up to the September 6 match, but failed to take this one. Tsonga had previously gone toe-to-toe against American Jack Stock on September 4, South African Kevin Anderson on September 3, Australian James Duckworth on August 31, and Argentinian Guido Andreozzi on August 29. Nicolas Mahut from Angers played against Japan’s Kei Nishikori, who won their match on September 3. And French Caroline Garcia (from Saint-Germain-en-Laye), who plays women’s singles, lost to Poland’s Agnieszka Radwańska on September 3. Photo credits: Gaël Monfils at Roland-Garros in 2011 by Yann Caradec/ Flickr; Gaël Monfils at the US Open in 2011 by robbiesaurus/Flickr; Gael Monfils during the final of the Qatar Exxonmobil Open in Doha by Doha Stadium Plus Qatar/ Flickr
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Lead photo credit : Gaël Monfils at Roland-Garros in 2011. Photo: Yann Caradec/ Flickr

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Anne McCarthy is a contributing writer to BBC News, Teen Vogue, The Telegraph, Dance Magazine, and more. She has a Masters in Creative Writing from the University of Westminster and is the Editor in Chief of Fat Tire Tours’ travel blog. She lives in New York City.

Comments

  • Laurent
    2016-09-08 23:28:00
    Laurent
    Really hoping that Gael didn't drink the same water as some of Novak's previous opponents in this year's US Open!! (3 of them either retired or defaulted)... Novak hasn't had to elevate his game and has had the easiest US Open ever thus far. Gael can create the upset if he plays at the level he's played all along this tournament. He probably has the best chance of his career against Novak tomorrow night... Nobody beats Gael 13 times!!!! (Novak won their past 12 matches).

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