Monfils Hits 'Fake & Bake' Hot Shot In Challenger Return
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This week, Gael Monfils is back on the ATP Challenger Tour for the first time since 2013, competing at the $150,000 event in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. It looks like he’s brought his trademark flair for the dramatic with him.
Nearly 2,000 fans were on their feet at the Kaohsiung OEC Open as Monfils faked out Akira Santillan en route to a first-round victory. The Frenchman put on a show deep in the second set. With a set point to force a decider, he turned his back to Santillan and covered his face with his left hand, before prompty firing a forehand pass on the dead run.
Monfils is kicking off his Asian swing early in his return from a wrist injury suffered at the US Open. The World No. 42, who is scheduled to compete at ATP World Tour stops in Chengdu, Beijing and Shanghai in the coming weeks, leads a strong field in Kaohsiung.
“I’m happy to be here,” said Monfils. “The wrist injury from the US Open is fine, but I just have to get on the court and try my best to win more matches. I’m in the right position right now to finish the year strong.
“There were many people watching today and the atmosphere is quite good. It’s also a great venue. I need a little time to adapt, but overall it’s been great. It’s just great to be in Taiwan. I also love the food here. We don’t have good Asian food in France, so it is nice to try some authentic food here.”
In search of match play and confidence after struggling for consistency thus far in 2018, Monfils will face 2012 champ Go Soeda in the second round. Fellow former Top 10 player Ernests Gulbis and #NextGenATP stars Duckhee Lee, Jurij Rodionov and Soon-woo Kwon are other top contenders.
Monfils is bidding to become the fifth player to win ATP World Tour and ATP Challenger Tour crowns this year, having opened his campaign with a title at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha. The 32-year-old is making his first Challenger appearance since 2013, when he prevailed on home soil in Bordeaux.
