Indian Wells Masters 1000: Monfils released by Zverev, surprise elimination of Medvedev

There are no more French in Indian Wells.

Once again, as at the US Open, it fell to Gaël Monfils to defend the last French chances in a major men's tournament.

The adventure ends here in California in the round of 16.

The 18th world player lost on Wednesday against Alexander Zverev, 4th at ATP, in straight sets (6-1, 6-3).

This dry defeat reflects the physiognomy of a one-sided game, or almost.

With just one break point in his bag, Monfils never succeeded in establishing a real balance of power.

Quickly led 4-0, he then spent the meeting chasing the score and the service of his opponent.

“It quickly became a steamroller.

Above all, he volleyed well, I found… He didn't have an air gap.

I felt he was much more solid than me, ”analyzed the Frenchman after the meeting.

Winning is a habit 👌 @AlexZverev does it again, defeating Gael Monfils 6-1 6-3 to reach the quarter-finals at # BNPPO21 pic.twitter.com/Zm00STPong

- Tennis TV (@TennisTV) October 14, 2021

“I didn't manage to hurt him.

He was really stronger than me, he added.

The guy is the cream of the crop.

He crushed me.

The more I get to play these guys, the more I can hook them up a bit more.

"

Medvedev disgusted by Dimitrov

The 24-year-old German, reigning Olympic champion and number 3 seed, beat Scottish elder Andy Murray in straight sets in the previous round, 6-4, 7-6.

If the logic was therefore respected against Monfils, the tournament also gave birth to a huge surprise.

Daniil Medvedev, 2nd in the world and winner of the last US Open against Djokovic, was released in the round of 16, overthrown by Grigor Dimitrov (28th).

He may have led 6-4, 4-1, the Russian sank against the comeback of the Bulgarian, who had so far beaten only once a world top 2. Symbol of a career never really up to the heights that were predicted to him. “There have been a lot of ups and downs and you never know what's going to happen, so I really try to enjoy the moment I'm on the pitch, work and stay humble. It's the only thing you can control, ”Dimitrov savored after match point.

“I felt exhausted during the tournament.

Now that it's over, I can tell.

I have several physical problems that arose, ”Medvedev said after the meeting, without specifying which ones.

"If he continues to play like this, as he played from 4-1, he will win the tournament," predicted the Russian.

“He played the second half of the game like nobody did against me at the US Open.

It's not like I gave him the match ”.

Dimitrov will face the Polish Hubert Hurkacz (12th in the world) in the next round.

CALIFORNIAN COMEBACK 🙌

That's an incredible win for @GrigorDimitrov.

Just his third ever triumph over a Top-2 player.

# BNPPO21

pic.twitter.com/E1efHsoDDK

- ATP Tour (@atptour) October 13, 2021

There are still two major tournaments left on the men's circuit.

The Paris Bercy tournament from November 1 to 7, then the Masters from 14 to 21, which will bring together the eight best players in the standings in Turin (Italy).