Erste Bank Open: Dennis Novak misses surprise against Gael Monfils
Dennis Novak narrowly missed a surprise in the first round of the Erste Bank Open. The Austrian lost to Gael Monfils with 6: 2, 5: 7 and 3: 6.
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: Oct 23, 2019, 05:55 pm
by Nikolaus Fink from the Wiener Stadthalle
Part two of the country fight between Austria and France. After Dominic Thiem had won on Tuesday against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Dennis Novak just a day later, set to 2-0 in the country match.
The start against Gael Monfils succeeded the 26-year-old at least perfect: Novak won the first nine points and went consistently with a double break in the lead. Monfils managed a rebreak after a brief visit to the physio, but the Austrian immediately restored the old lead and took the lead 4: 1.
Struck Monfils
The Frenchman was visibly battered and struggled with tears. Obviously, he had problems with the abdominal muscles, but at the score of 5: 2, the 33-year-old even had to take an off-court medical time-out. Monfils continued at first, but lost the first set a short time later with 2: 6.
skywien
At the beginning of the second round Monfils seemed a little bit better, the world ranking-14. thanks to his "all-or-nothing tactics" especially at its own impact no more problems. That should not change throughout the entire course - unlike Dennis Novak. The world ranking 124 Played a 30-0 lead at 5: 6 and gave his opponent the set with a double penalty.
Breaks at the right time
There was suddenly not much left of an injury at Monfils, the Frenchman still served very well and did not allow for anything. Just at the crucial moment, Monfils then struck again: He made the break to 5: 3 and then served safely to 2: 6, 7: 5 and 6: 3 success.
In the second round, Gael Monfils meets Jannik Sinner on Thursday (second match after 17:30). The only 18-year-old South Tyrolean had already asserted himself against Philipp Kohlschreiber on Tuesday in two sentences .