Allez! Monfils Overcomes #NextGenATP Test For Kaohsiung Crown
Allez! Monfils Overcomes #NextGenATP Test For Kaohsiung Crown
It had been five years since Gael Monfils last competed on the ATP Challenger Tour. But, seeking more match play and confidence after sustaining a wrist injury at the US Open, the Frenchman added the OEC Open in Kaohsiung to his calendar.
The decision paid dividends for Monfils, as the top seed surged to the title at the $150,000 event on Taiwanese soil. Now 6-0 in Challenger finals, the 32-year-old defeated #NextGenATP qualifier Soonwoo Kwon 6-4, 2-6, 6-1 in Sunday’s championship.
“A win is a win and I came here to win a lot of matches, so I am very happy,” Monfils told the assembled media following the final. “It is never easy to win a Challenger. It has given me confidence, to play five guys who were really tough. I’m just very happy.
“It was my first time in Taiwan and I had a blast. The fans came out from the first day and were here all week. This is a Challenger, but it’s very well organised. The stadium and management are great.”
Monfils becomes the fifth player to capture titles on both the ATP World Tour and ATP Challenger Tour this year. In the opening week of the season, he reigned at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha, notching his seventh tour-level crown.
ATP World Tour & ATP Challenger Tour Winners In 2018
| Player | ATP World Tour title | ATP Challenger Tour title |
| Gael Monfils | Doha | Kaohsiung, TPE |
| Pablo Andujar | Marrakech | Alicante, ESP |
| Marco Cecchinato | Budapest & Umag | Santiago, CHI |
| Martin Klizan | Kitzbuhel | Indian Wells, USA |
| Matteo Berrettini | Gstaad | Bergamo, ITA |
It was not always routine, but Monfils found his form in navigating to the Kaohsiung title. He rallied from a set down to defeat another #NextGenATP qualifier, Akira Santillan, in the first round, before ousting Go Soeda, Ernests Gulbis and Duckhee Lee without conceding a break.
On Sunday, he was put to the test against 20-year-old Kwon, who was bidding for his maiden Challenger crown. After the Korean secured three straight breaks in the second set, Monfils rediscovered his rhythm in the decider, racing to a 3-0 lead and eventually claiming his second championship point.
“Kwon played amazing today,” Monfils added. “He’s a youngster with a lot of hope and desire, so it was a very tough match and I had to pull out my best game to beat him today. But it’s not an easy turnaround. Tomorrow I am flying to Chengdu and already it’s another tournament.”
Sealed with a selfie ?
When the champ asks you for a pic. It happened today in Kaohsiung. ? @Gael_Monfils pic.twitter.com/IxaVSt0ieb
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) September 23, 2018
Monfils is projected to rise to No. 38 in the ATP Rankings and is poised to carry the momentum to the upcoming Asian swing on the ATP World Tour. He will face yet another #NextGenATP qualifier in his opener at the Chengdu Open – South Africa’s Lloyd Harris. The Frenchman is also slated to appear at the China Open in Beijing and Rolex Shanghai Masters.
