'Never good': Tennis fans gutted over 'sad' Gael Monfils news
Tennis fans were left shattered for Gael Monfils on Wednesday night when the popular Frenchman suffered an injury scare just four days out from the Australian Open.
Monfils was locked at one-set apiece against World No.83 Thiago Monteiro at the Adelaide International 2 when he pulled the pin after losing the opening game of the third set.
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The 35-year-old appeared to be bothered by a neck or shoulder complaint and now has just four days to recover before the start of the Australian Open.
Monfils had been building nicely towards the season-opening grand slam after winning the Adelaide International 1 last week for his first ATP title in almost two years.
His 6-4 6-4 triumph over Karen Khachanov in the final sparked hope that Monfils could wind back the clock and embark on a deep run at the Australian Open.
But fans were left gutted that the World No.19 suffered another injury setback after a difficult 24-month period.
Never good to see an injury but Gael Monfils’ back issue that caused him to retire opens #AdelaideTennis draw for Thanasi Kokkinakis.
Marin Cilic and Karen Khachanov the main dangers now— Marc McGowan 🗣✍️👨🏻💻📰 (@ByMarcMcGowan) January 12, 2022
Noooo! Hope he’s fit for AO and it’s just a precaution to protect him 🥰
— sunshine smiles ☀️🇬🇧🇵🇱🇯🇲 (@skrebnits) January 12, 2022
Monfils has had so many withdrawls throughout his career. Sad he didn’t have a body that could withstand the weekly grind
— Venus Williams Fandom (@QueenVee_Fandom) January 12, 2022
Gael is injured? Oh no 🤦♀️ get better soon
— Wendy Hough (@WendyHough16) January 12, 2022
He did the right thing and pulled out. Monteiro played really well. #AdelaideTennis
— Johnny WTAA (@wtaaddict) January 12, 2022
Monfils' best result at the Australian Open was a quarter-final appearance in 2016 and he will be keen to make amends for last year's first-round exit.
Monfils won the first set against Monteiro 7-6 (7-2) but he succumbed 6-3 in the second.
He decided to call it quits after dropping the first game of the deciding set.
Thanasi Kokkinakis continues improbable run
Meanwhile, Thanasi Kokkinakis is looming as a dangerous floater at the Australian Open after proving his giant-killing abilities yet again with a thrilling three-sets victory over John Isner.
Kokkinakis came from a set down in Adelaide to secure the 6-7 (7-5) 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (7-4) victory in two hours and 42 minutes.
The win sets up a quarter-final showdown against fellow Australian Aleksandar Vukic, who beat World No.84 American Steve Johnson 6-4 7-5 earlier in the day.
Kokkinakis, who beat 20-time major winner Roger Federer in 2018 but has battled a raft of injuries throughout his career, has enjoyed an ideal lead-in to next week's Australian Open.
He beat World No.38 Frances Tiafoe last week on the way to reaching the semi-finals of the Adelaide International 1, and his triumph over World No.24 Isner was further evidence of the damage he could cause at the year-opening major.
Isner struck 25 aces to Kokkinakis's 15, but he also committed 31 unforced errors for the match.
Kokkinakis committed just 14 unforced errors to go with his 47 winners.
"Playing him is not fun," Kokkinakis said during his on-court interview after the match.
"I have a few frustrating things in life, but that one is up there for sure. You feel like you're walking from side to side (with how good he serves).
"It ends up being about how do I distract him (when he's serving) without being an idiot.
"I was trying to stand on the fence, stand close, I don't know. That's why he's been so good for so long.
"I just had to hope he missed a first serve, or if he made one somehow jag a return."
with AAP
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