2020 Dubai Open Semi Final :- [1] Novak Djokovic vs [3] Gael Monfils

[HetTheGreaterer]

H2H :- 16-0 Novak

Last meeting :- 2020 ATP Cup Robin Round, N. Djokovic def G. Monfils 6-3 6-2

Last HC meeting :- the same as above

Last notable meeting :- 2016 US Open semi final, N. Djokovic def. G. Monfils 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-2 (a bizzare match tbh)

Road to the match :-
Djokovic :- R32 def. Malek Jaziri 6-1 6-2, R16 def. Philip Kohlscriber 6-3 6-1, QF def. Karen Khachanov 6-2 6-2 (yet to drop more than 4 games a match, broken just once)
Gael :- R32 def. Marton Fuscovics 6-4 7-5, R16 def. Yasutaka Uchiyama 6-1 6-2, QF def. Richard Gasquet 6-3 6-3

Monfils is on a 12 matches' & 24 sets' winning streak.
Djokovic still goes down as the heavy favourite here, due to the matchup and ofcourse, his impervious form in the tournament
What do you think about this match?
Discuss.
Do vote in the poll.
Stay tuned, stay connected, love tennis

 

[Red Rick]

Never has a man on a 24 set winning streak been such an underdog.

 

[HetTheGreaterer]

Never has a man on a 24 set winning streak been such an underdog.

Still

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

They always play exciting matches. Monfils on a good run himself so will pose a threat. However, Novak is on another level to everyone else currently. Plus djoker totally dominates the H2H. Joker in 2 close sets!

 

[DSH]

Will Monfils present, will retire in the middle of the match or do a circus act similar to that of the US Open 2016?

 

[SecondToNone]

Will Monfils present, will retire in the middle of the match or do a circus act similar to that of the US Open 2016?

Or w/o like in SF of Rogers cup

 

[TennisLBC]

Gael has been playing some great tennis of late. I hope this streak continues.

 

[dropshotlikeitshot]

Hoping for an entertaining match, but I think this will be the less entertaining SF in Dubai.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Come on now........

 

[PeoplesChamp]

Apparently we are witnessing Peak Djokovic

Hopefully, Monfils will win more than 4 games unlike the rest of this mug field.

 

[James P]

I guess I'll be that guy. Monfils in 3.

 

[BeatlesFan]

They always play exciting matches.

You must have a novel concept of what "exciting" means because these matches were all total borefests:

2011 Canadian Open: 6-2, 6-1 Djokovic
2016 Canadian Open: 6-3, 6-2 Djokovic
2017 Eastbourne: 6-3, 6-3 Djokovic
2020 ATP Cup: 6-3, 6-2 Djokovic

 

[BGod]

Man. 24 straight sets vs. 0-16.

Novak in 3. Monfils wins a set.

 

[dropshotlikeitshot]

You must have a novel concept of what "exciting" means because these matches were all total borefests:

2011 Canadian Open: 6-2, 6-1 Djokovic
2016 Canadian Open: 6-3, 6-2 Djokovic
2017 Eastbourne: 6-3, 6-3 Djokovic
2020 ATP Cup: 6-3, 6-2 Djokovic

This is exactly why I’m far more interested in Evans-Tsitsipas. Additionally, I think Monfils’ run is a bit overrated. He’s benefitted from avoiding top 20 players and hasn’t played THAT well to suggest he could challenge Novak. I hope I’m wrong, but I think we’ll see another borefest.

 

[MeatTornado]

This is exactly why I’m far more interested in Evans-Tsitsipas. Additionally, I think Monfils’ run is a bit overrated. He’s benefitted from avoiding top 20 players and hasn’t played THAT well to suggest he could challenge Novak. I hope I’m wrong, but I think we’ll see another borefest.

He'll challenge Novak more than Gasquet could. So that's pretty much all you can ask for.

 

[I Am Finnish]

Nobody beats Gurufils 17 times in a row

 

[Breakpointerer]

The real question is if he can take more than 4 games off Djok for the first time this tourney.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

You must have a novel concept of what "exciting" means because these matches were all total borefests:

2011 Canadian Open: 6-2, 6-1 Djokovic
2016 Canadian Open: 6-3, 6-2 Djokovic
2017 Eastbourne: 6-3, 6-3 Djokovic
2020 ATP Cup: 6-3, 6-2 Djokovic

Yeah that’s true. I’m aware Novak has completely dominated the rivalry and matches end up in usual pattern. I just enjoy the rallies they have that’s all. I get what you saying though.

 

[Nole14_15NoPressure]

 

[Hitman]

Gael has been playing some great tennis of late. I hope this streak continues.

The streak will most certainly continue.

 

[Breakpointerer]

Good stuff.

 

[Tennis_Freak99]

Monfils breaks

 

[onyxrose81]

Monfils in good form early.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Will be a big test for Novak this. Monfils is in form last few weeks.

 

[Pablo1989]

What a points!!!!

 

[Breakpointerer]

This game is longer than most of his matches

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

Mugfils pushing is sad, could've used his ffitness way better playing attack against an opponent this good.

 

[Breakpointerer]

And Monfils breaks.

 

[HetTheGreaterer]

Is Monfils really trying hard this time or is it the pattern of all Djokofils matches???

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

Monfils is gonna choke SO HARD now. Saw that smash? That's how tight he is. Disgusting!

 

[Tennis_Freak99]

Will be a big test for Novak this. Monfils is in form last few weeks.

I said this 10 mins back xD

 

[HetTheGreaterer]

And Monfils breaks.

Unexpected

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Monfils breaks. Fair play. Novak has a battle on his hands. Will be interesting.

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

words

stop ignoring me lel

 

[HetTheGreaterer]

I said this 10 mins back xD

Naah.
I think it'll be a tight first set which nole will clutch out and then it'll be a breadstick in 2nd

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

I bet if Djokovic had won the last point after such a terrible Monfils smash his fans would've been singing orgasmic praises now xD

 

[HetTheGreaterer]

stop ignoring me lel

Okay.
Love from India my friend.
I won't ignore you.

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

@StrongRule help me perfect your impression, need a guiding hand from the master himself

 

[HetTheGreaterer]

@StrongRule help me perfect your impression, need a guiding hand from the master himself

Where's stronkrule when we really need him??

 

[Breakpointerer]

Unexpected

That hold was unexpected

 

[HetTheGreaterer]

A 202 speed serve down the T to close it out.
3-1 Monfils.

 

[helterskelter]

Novak down an early break against OLD Monfils. This proves that Novak is OLD.

 

[HetTheGreaterer]

That hold was unexpected

I still won't be surprised if nole wins this set 6-3.
Can't trust clownfils

 

[onyxrose81]

This is why I take one match at a time. Jeez.

 

[Breakpointerer]

@StrongRule help me perfect your impression, need a guiding hand from the master himself

So that's what you're doing lol

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

Novak down an early break against OLD Monfils. This proves that Novak is OLD.

Peak old Novak struggling with peak old Monfils. Peak young Novak never did (the one that did wasn't peak). That says something, after all.

 

[DjokoFan1987]

Oh jeez not a good start for novak. Hopefully he can get back in this match.

 

[onyxrose81]

This is a bit terrible.

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

So that's what you're doing lol

These boards do not deserve any better from me.

 

[Breakpointerer]

Novak down an early break against OLD Monfils. This proves that Novak is OLD.

It proves that peak Gurufils> peak Djokovic