Gael Monfils Bows Out of Tokyo Olympics 2020 After Struggling Battle Against Ilya Ivashka

Gael Monfils is the newest victim of the “upsets clan” as he loses to Ilya Ivashka in the first-round at the Tokyo Olympics. Monfils battled it out with the Belarusian for a little over three hours, however could not save the match.

The number 10 seed fought till the end and saved a few match points for himself. However, the 27-year old Belarusian outplayed Monfils in the final set.

Gael Monfils vs Ilya Ivashka: Set 1

Number 10 seed Gael Monfils witnessed an early glimpse of defeat of in the first set. Ilya beat him 6-4 in the first game, as they battled for 47 minutes. The Belarusian dominated the game after scoring two aces in the first set.

Ilya converted both his break points in the first set, as a result of which he won the set. He was learning from his mistakes, as he recorded a 100% success rate in his second serves. Gael also took a medical timeout in the first set when he was 3-1 down. His frustration and annoyance was visible on the court.

Gael vs Ivashka: Set 2

Gael made a healthy comeback in the second set after recording three aces against the World No.66. He converted his only break point of the set and won the game 6-4. He improved his forced errors in the second set, making only 20 compared to the 22 he made in the first set.

Gael also forced Ilya to make more errors. Ilya made seven unforced errors in the second set as compared to his three in the first set. Monfils looked more calm and composed in the second set. He was down at the end of the second set, before converting the break point in his favor.

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Gael vs Ivashka: Set 3

Gael started the set really well after the match resumed. He won the first two sets with ease and converted his first break point. However, he lost his rhythm in the third game and Ilya grabbed his break points.

The final set was a fierce battle between the two as they went all in for it. Ivashka had an opportunity to convert his break point during the fifth game. However, Monfils escaped the scare.

In the end, Monfils succumbed to his unforced errors in the third set and lost the match. Ilya converted his break point in the sixth game as he won all his points on Monfils’ serve.

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