Monfils gets past Dimitrov to reach second round

Monfils gets past Dimitrov to reach second round Gael Monfils manages to end an entertaining match with Grigor Dimitrov in straight sets on Monday at the U.S. Open. Monfils advances to a clash against Juan Carlos Ferrero.

Gael Monfils once again found a way to add plenty of drama to a straight-set match, but he had more than enough to get past Grigor Dimitrov with a 7-6(4), 6-3, 6-4 victory in the first round of the U.S. Open on Monday night. Monfils needed two hours and 39 minutes to set up a meeting with Juan Carlos Ferrero. In a showdown between two of the sport's more entertaining players, Monfils and Dimitrov did not disappoint during the first set. A total of four breaks were exchanged en route to a tiebreaker, including when Dimitrov broke at 4-5 to stay alive. Wildly long points with brilliant shot-making were the norm, but Monfils finally took control in the 'breaker. Although he almost squandered a 5-1 advantage, the world No. 8 held on to take it seven points to four.

A right knee problem seemed to trouble Monfils early in the second, and it did not look good for the favorite when he fell behind by a quick break. However, Monfils quickly righted the ship and seized two breaks of his own to regain the upper hand. The Frenchman built a 5-3 lead and served out set two with ease.

In the third frame of play it was Dimitrov's turn to deal with physical problems. The 20-year-old Bulgarian was clearly hampered with an upper leg issue, but he still did not go away quietly. In fact, the set came down to nothing more than break-point conversions. Dimitrov capitalized on none of his two chances while Monfils made the most of one of his five opportunities. New York's No. 8 seed wrapped up the proceedings on serve at 5-4, clinching the win with a powerful cross-court backhand.

Monfils is through to a second career showdown against Ferrero, who overcame fellow Spaniard Pablo Andujar 1-6, 7-5, 5-7, 6-1, 6-3.