Novak Djokovic thrashes Gael Monfils as he reaches Brisbane quarterfinals

New Delhi: For two decades, Novak Djokovic has reigned supreme on the ATP Tour and has ruled the men’s circuit. The former World No.1 has showcased a combination of unparalleled mental toughness and a flawless world-class game which has made him an extremely tough target to beat. His dominance has left many opponents struggling to find answers but few like Gael Monfils have faced his mastery.

Novak Djokovic was meeting Gael Monfils for the 20th time at the Brisbane International presented by Evie and once again Djokovic got the better of Monfils in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series. The Serbian superstar secured a commanding 6-3, 6-3 victory in the second round of the ATP 250 event in Queensland, extending his head-to-head record against Monfils to a staggering 20-0.

The march towards a 100th singles title goes on!@DjokerNole accounts for Gael Monfils 6-3 6-3 to move into the quarterfinals.#BrisbaneTennis pic.twitter.com/D4hTB5Ilvx

— Brisbane International (@BrisbaneTennis) January 2, 2025

After the match, Novak Djokovic reflected on their storied rivalry and shared his respect for the Frenchman. He said, “We have been playing for many years. I have known Gael since I was 15. We played quite a bit as juniors and later on Tour. I’ve had a good record against him, but we’ve also had some incredible battles.”

Monfils who is known for his exceptional athleticism and crowd-pleasing style, has consistently been a fan favorite, a fact not lost on Djokovic. “He is one of the best, if not the best, athletes in our sport over the years,” Djokovic said, praising Monfils’ extraordinary agility, flexibility, and speed. “He is such a great player to watch and a great character. He attracts fans around the world to stadiums, so I have tonnes of respect for him. Hopefully, we can play some more before we both retire.”

Djokovic-Monfils rivalry

The top seed’s first win over Monfils came at the 2005 US Open, a year before the 37-year-old claimed his first tour-level triumph in Amersfoort. Nineteen years later, Djokovic is attempting to become only the third man to win 100 tour-level titles following Jimmy Connors (109) and Roger Federer (103).

In his quest to win his 100th title, Djokovic in the PIF ATP Rankings has looked impressive in his first two sets in Brisbane. After dismissing the World No. 7 Rinky Hijikata with unrelenting consistency against Monfils, converting all three break points to advance to the quarterfinals after one hour and 12 minutes.

Makes it 20-0 🙌@DjokerNole defeats Monfils, continuing his perfect record against the Frenchman!#BrisbaneTennis pic.twitter.com/9h3mkC3Yml

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) January 2, 2025

Djokovic has now won 27 consecutive matches against Frenchmen, his latest defeat coming against Benoit Paire at the 2018 ATP Masters 1000 event in Miami. Djokovic, who is also competing in doubles alongside Nick Kyrgios this week, is making his second trip to Brisbane since 2009.

The latest chapter in this one-sided rivalry further cements Djokovic’s place as one of the sport’s most unrelenting competitors while Monfils’ flair and perseverance continue to make him one of tennis’ most beloved figures. As both players edge closer to the twilight of their illustrious careers, their matches remain a compelling blend of skill, determination, and mutual respect.

Djokovic’s ATP Head2Head series rivalries

What next for Djokovic?

Novak Djokovic will aim to win his 100th ATP title and will look to find his best form this week ahead of the Australian Open in Melbourne, where he aims to clinch a record-extending 11th AO title and his 25th major title.

 Novak Djokovic dominates Gael Monfils 6-3, 6-3 to reach Brisbane quarterfinals, extending his unbeaten record to 20-0 in their head-to-head rivalry.  Tennis Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today