This Monday 3rd June, 2019, the last two French contenders were eliminated from the last 16 of the Roland-Garros tournament.
Benoît Paire (38) was eliminated on Monday 3 June 2019 in the round of the last 16 at Roland-Garros by the Japanese Kei Nishikori (7th) 6-2, 6-7 (8/10), 6-2, 6-7 (8) / 10), 7-5 after a crazy game. And it was then Gael Monfils who was curtly beaten by Dominic Thiem (6-4, 6-4, 6-1).
The first will feed regrets after this crazy game, close to hanging the first quarterfinal Grand Slam of his career at 30. At exactly two points.
QUEL. MATCH. 🙌@keinishikori rattrape le bris de service à deux reprises au 4e set pour mettre un terme à la rencontre de 3 heures 55 minutes, 6-2, 6-7(8), 6-2, 6-7(8), 7-5 face à Benoît Paire. https://t.co/Sie7HV6zIp | #RG19 pic.twitter.com/bsQfOXeXyW
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) 3 June 2019
Nishikori against Nadal
But it’s finally Kei Nishikori, who has just scored two victories after being led in the fifth set, will face Rafael Nadal in the quarter, looking for a 12th crown to “Roland”.
After returning to the place in a poorly embarked Sunday, led two sets to one and saved by night, the Avignonnais has however presented with a much better face than the day before, much more aggressive. He immediately pushed Nishikori to the tie-break of the 4th set.
Two match balls saved
A rather strange decisive game, with a festival of faults, missed chances, double-faults … But Benoît Paire managed to save two match points and to pocket, then going to lead 4-1, then to serve for the match at 5-3 in the last inning. But he never seized the tense opportunities.
“It’s never easy to finish a match. Normally, I had to lose in three or four sets. But what is certain is that in five sets, I had to win it. I had opportunities, I felt even better limits than him in the 5th. Right now, I’m disappointed, “explained Benoit Paire after the match. “When I serve for the match, I think too much about Nadal. I know we should not do it but … It’s easier said than done, “he said.
#RG19 Quelle déception pour @benoitpaire ! Le Français s’incline en 5 sets et 3h55 de jeu sur deux jours (6-2, 6-7 [8], 6-2, 6-7 [8], 7-5). Il menait pourtant 4-1 dans la 5ème manche… #RG #RolandGarros
Suivez les rencontres en direct : https://t.co/UnVYNkJMV4 pic.twitter.com/8AGJRLxoIj
— France tv sport (@francetvsport) 3 June 2019
Monfils choked
Gael Monfils, for his part, had too few opportunities to reverse the match. Stuffed by the last finalist, he chained mistakes and nets.
#RG19 Dominic Thiem élimine sèchement Gaël Monfils en trois sets (6/4 6/4 6/2) ! Il n’y a plus de Français à Roland-Garros ! #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/RDp5SuIR8S
— France tv sport (@francetvsport) 3 June 2019
