Former World No.6 Gael Monfils hadn’t had a successful tournament for as long as one could remember. However, he is finally changing the tides, reaching the National Bank Open 2021 quarterfinals. It is his first last eight appearance since February 2020. Accordingly, his opponent Frances Tiafoe complimented him with kind words.

What makes it fascinating is that the young 23-year-old American took inspiration Monfils growing up. Thus, even though he lost to him, Tiafoe wishes the Frenchman to continue on the Tour for many more years.

Regardless of the loss, Tiafoe had a good week in Toronto. He entered the main draw as a lucky loser and went on to upset Canadian hope Denis Shapovalov in the previous round. As for Monfils, he took out the Australian John Millman and then Tiafoe to reach the quarterfinals.

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Frances Tiafoe’s words of appreciation for Gael Monfils

Monfils, inarguably, has been an inspiration of charisma and competitiveness to many on the men’s circuit. Also, he is one of the most acrobatic tennis players ever to play the sport.

However, since the dawn of 2020, the current World No.22 had been out of his natural self. Although he kept his spirits up, his performance did not seem to alter the results.

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But now, Monfils is starting to develop what could be later be quite a comeback. Hence, he deserved the words that his opponent Tiafoe bestowed to him.

“You’re back to where you were,” Tiafoe said at the net while shaking hands. “I looked up to you a lot as a kid man. I wanna see you play for many more years bro. You got a few years bro.”

Notably, the last time Monfils reached an ATP final or won the title was at Rotterdam Open in February last year. He would indeed hope to update that at the ongoing Canadian Open.

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Who will Monfils play next in the National Bank Open 2021?

As per the Toronto main draw, the Frenchman will take on American ace-star John Isner for a place in the semifinals. Without any doubt, it would be a total knockout battle between the two.

Above all, it would be interesting to see whether Monfils can keep up the dream run at the National Bank Open 2021. If he does, it would also be his first big win since he got married in July 2021.

Do you think Monfils can win the Toronto Masters title?

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