US Open: Gael Monfils Outshines Denis Shapovalov In Five-Setter Thriller

Gael Monfils found meeting Denis Shapovalov very challenging and had to engage the best of his experience to survive the scare from the Canadian whom he battled through thrilling five sets to advance to the fourth round.

Shapovalov was in the vein, as much as fierce as the Frenchman and fought him through three tie-breaks before conceding in five sets, 6-7(5), 7-6(4), 6-4, 6-7(6), 6-3 that lasted for three hours and 34 minutes.

"I think people love me because I play with my heart. I fight," Monfils said afterwards. He served 13 aces and won 7-in-21 break point advantage set up against the Canadian en route winning the third round.

Monfils could have wrapped up the round in the fourth when he broke back from 2/5 in the tie-break winning four match points to lead by 6/5 but Shapovalov forced a decider with brilliant use of his forehand.

Denis Shapovalov reached the final of 2019 Canada Open 

"You never know how and what I can do on the court. I think that's why people like that, a little bit mystery part of me. I like the way I am now. I like the way the crowd is behind me. I love the energy here. I'm happy"

The Frenchman had a much lesser of Shapovalov who saved a match point at 5/3 before finally conceding the round by netted in return a forehand shot from Monfils. The world no. 13 took the first lead in the ATP FedEx head-to-head counts against Shapavalov in their first career showdown at Louis Armstrong Stadium on Saturday.

The Rotterdam champion is vying for his second title of the second and has set up a fourth-round match with Spanish player Pablo Andujar who defeated Alexander Bublik in three sets, 6-4, 6-3, 6-2.