Resurfaced: Out Of This World! Monfils Goes Next Level With Airborne Strike

Editor's Note: ATPTour.com is resurfacing features to bring fans closer to their favourite players during the current suspension in tournament play. This story was originally published on 8 May 2019.

Add this one to Gael Monfils’ never-ending reel of highlights! The Frenchman took things to the next level on Wednesday at the Mutua Madrid Open, when he delivered an incredible airborne strike against Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics.

[TENNIS AT HOME]

With Fucsovics serving to stay in the second set at 3-5, Monfils raced to the net to retrieve a drop shot on the 13th shot of the rally. He then back peddled to snap a no-look airborne winner past Fucsovics, who had been attacking the net, earning a standing ovation from the crowd.

The shot also earned the approval of countrywoman Alize Cornet, who tweeted ‘Insane’ with an alien emoji.

Insane 😱😱😱👽

— Alize Cornet (@alizecornet) May 8, 2019

While Fucsovics went on to hold serve, Monfils won the next game and the match 1-6, 6-4, 6-2 to set up a blockbuster third-round clash with three-time Madrid champion Roger Federer. It will be their first meeting since 2015 at Roland Garros, a match Federer won in four sets to improve to 9-4 in their FedEx ATP Head2Head series.

from Tennis - ATP World Tour https://ift.tt/2YDprxw