Monfils slugs a backhand wide and Monfils is on the board in this set, winning his first game in several. Benchetrit 6-3 1-6 1-4.
Benchetrit is gone. He leads 11-0 in unforced errors in this set, and is showing no signs of improvement.
On Court 3, Pablo Carreno-Busta, the number 10 seed, lost the first set to Jozef Kovalik but then won the second. They’re on serve in the third.
On Chatrier, Errani has kicked-off the second set with a break. Cornet needs to find her tune.
A reminder of what we’ve got coming up:
Next on Lenglen, Williams, Venus play Wang; Johanna Konta plays Putintseva when Nishikori is done; Jelena Ostapenko begins the defence of her title; and Alexander Zverev begins his bis to lose to Rafael Nadal in the final.
Six in a row for Monfils now. He breaks in the opening game of the set, and Benchetrit needs to find something.
Elsewhere, Nishikori is underway, 2-2 in the first against Janvier of France. Sloane Stephens is on court too, a game up against Arantxa Rus. Meanwhile, Nicolas Jarry of Cuba fancies himself some Dimitrov - he now leads Donaldson 3-6 6-4 4-2.
Errani serves out take the first set 6-2. Cornet is in all sorts here, because Errani is looking solid as.
Monfils holds to love! Benchetrit 6-3 1-6 Monfils. He is looking confident now, and it’d not be surprising to see him accelerate home.
Monfils gets to 5-1 and we enjoy a glorious rally as he chases down a drop, then flips back Benchetrit’s counter at the net like it’s nothing. He basks in some adulation, then apologies to his opponent for being so effortlessly brilliant.
Monfils is pushing on now, pilled up off the doctor and 4-1 ahead ... but Errani is strong-standing, 5-2 ahead.
Benchetrit is break point down and second serve down, bit he leaps to absolutely monster a forehand down the line for deuce. This is absolutely exemplary stuff so far, but then he misses two forehands in a row and Monfils breaks for 6-3 1-3.
Cornet appears to have warmed, a delectable backhand cross-court setting up a break point, which she snaffles. 3-1 Errani now.
Monfils has a word with the trainer and then some chat with Benchetrit. It’s warm out there by the looks of things, if heat can look hot. I should add, and should have already stated, that Benchetrit is wearing purple trainers. They are rude-1.
Errani serves like Jo Durie, putting her racket behind her head and halfway down her back, pre-toss. It’s working for her at the moment, as she leads 3-0 and 40-40.
Benchetrit isn’t going away. It’s 1-1 in set 2 and Monfils is rubbing his groin before serving at advantage. Benchetrit swipes a backhand crosscourt but wide, and trails 1-2.
Errani has started nicely, breaking Cornet at the first opportunity ... and she now has two points for a double ... and takes the seconc!
This is the first five-setter Benchetrit has ever played, but you’d never know. Monfils, meanwhile, is getting irated by all sorts, movement in the crowd, the price of Fredos, you name it.
Benchetrit is a big old kid at 6’4, and he uses his wingspan to give himself 30-15, then quickly racks up a set point ... and down comes a serve that’s too good! Benchetrit 6-3 Monfils!
On Chatrier, Errani and Cornet are away, playing the first game; on Lenglen, Benchetrit has finagled two break points. The first goes with an ace, but a murderous forehand and a drop shot set up the second for Benchetrit! He’ll now serve for the set!
Yes, Monfils is into this; he breaks again, to love, and that’s nine points in a row as well as 4-0 to 4-3.
Back to BabyfedTM, I neglected to inform that Dimitrov will play Donaldson or Jarry next; that match is currently 6-3 3-3.
Great hold from Monfils from 0-40 to make it 4-2. Benchetrit - who, to make you feel inferior, is just 19 - will now show us what he’s got. But Monfils seems to have felt his way into things, and dispenses a drop-shot that puts him ahead in the game.
Earlier on Lenglen, Elaina Svitolina, the improving number 4 seed who will fancy herself for a maiden Slam, was made to work for it by Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic, but after an hour 29 was through to round 2 by 5 and 3. But it’s a relative toughie next: Kuzmova or Schiavone.
Benchetrit is absolutely avin it ere, now 4-0 ahead. Monfils is looking bedraggled and exceedingly sorry for his little self. But then he takes himself to 15-40 and Benchetrit goes long with a backhand, so perhaps this set remains undid.
Meanwhile, Benchetrit, who is chucking in some serve-volley, consolidates from 0-30 down.
Next on: Alize Cornet, the French 32 seed, takes on Sara Errani of Italy.
Grigor Dimitrov beats Mohamed Safwat, 6-1 6-4 7-6.
No problem at all for the number 4 seed, who if he plays to his potential will eventual be beaten by Rafael Nadal.
But look at this! Benchetrit holds, then breaks! Minfils is 7 and 10 on clay this term, so there’s a potential opening here.
On Lenglen, local favourite and otherworldly talent, Gael Monfils, seeded 32, is 40-all in the first game with local person, Elliot Benchetrit. “Can slide the length and width of France,” our commentary says of the former.
Daniel will be here shortly. In the meantime you can read how Kyle Edmund is preparing for the latest test of his ability …
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