Novak Djokovic Saves 3 Match Points Against Gael Monfils to Extend Win Streak

Top seed Novak Djokovic fended off three match points to deny an upset against Gael Monfils, defeating him 2-6, 7-6(8), 6-1 in the semifinals of the 2020 Dubai Tennis Championships.

Gael ‘The Showman’ Monfils came in as the under-dog today, with a losing head to head record of 16-0 against the reigning Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic. However, Monfils had been packing heat with a winning streak of 11 matches before today. Novak Djokovic was also on an unbeaten streak, with 15 wins under his belt.

Gael Monfils broke twice to win the first set

Despite the mammoth task ahead of him, it was Gael Monfils who came out all guns blazing. Breaking Djokovic twice in the first set, Monfils raced to a dream start with a 6-2 lead. Novak Djokovic looked perplexed at times, and his choice of shots were questionable at times, as he looked to resort to drop shots to try and change up things. However, Gael Monfils, who is known as one of the best athletes on tour, chomped on them with comfort.

Novak Djokovic saved three match points to win the second set

Monfils got off to another perfect start in the second set, breaking Djokovic at the very start of the set to go 2-0 up. However, Djokovic was not throwing in the towel yet and fought back to break Monfils’ serve for the first time in the match, much to the delight of the Serbian fans in the crowd.

What came after 3-3 was a high-quality spectacle from both Monfils and Djokovic. Diving and stretching around the court to retrieve balls, the two put on a sparkling show of shot-making, that had the Dubai Duty Free Championships crowd on their feet. Despite having multiple set points at 5-4, Djokovic could not close out the set, much to the pleasure of Elina Svitolina, who from the stands was seen cheering on the Frenchman.

The set went through the tiebreaker as both the players evened at 6-all. In the breaker, the gutsy Djokovic saved 3 match points, first 2 while returning. The Serbian won the tiebreaker 7-6(8) after a double fault from Monfils.

Djokovic seals the match to reach consecutive finals in Dubai

In the deciding set, the World No.1 raced to a 4-1 lead with a double break. The 32-year-old looked unstoppable as he broke Monfils again to wrap the match in 2 hours and 33 minutes and win the third set 6-1.