Monfils Beats Wawrinka In Rotterdam For 8th Career Title
"It's great to have been back in the final, but also how I played to get there".
The Canadian, who had previously dismissed third seed Steve Johnson and prevailed in the longest match of the tournament against Paolo Lorenzi, saved five set points in the opening set before winning 7-6, 4-6, 6-3.
After splitting the first three games, Nishikori, 29, snared the first break of the match to love.
Asia's top player began the year with a 12th career title in Brisbane before suffering his only 2019 loss at the Australian Open against Novak Djokovic in an injury-hit quarterfinal exit. "Sorry I beat you in the final".
"It was a tough final and Gael played really well", Wawrinka said.
"I fell heavily on day one and I've felt it every day. I was making nearly every ball".
"Stan is a very good player". With that in mind, I see Kei Nishikori winning this match and making the final of the tournament.
The Italian world number 18 repelled the home favourite easily to win his third career tour title without dropping a set.
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Home crowd favorite Diego Schwartzman trailed 1-4 in the deciding set and had to save a match point before dispatching top-seeded Austrian Dominic Thiem 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (5) in the semifinals in Buenos Aires. I think the match against Gael will be different, the conditions will be better for him here. But I'm happy to be in the semifinals.
The title was Monfils' first since taking Doha at the start of 2018.
The Swiss won his last meeting with Monfils at Roland Garros two years ago.
Monfils's final score over 2015 victor Wawrinka read 6-3, 1-6, 6-2. There were no breaks of serve and both had only one double fault.
"In the third set I was a little bit more aggressive and I go a bit more for my shots, I served bigger and that helped me a lot", Monfils said. "Jo was probably not happy with his level, but that is normal".
"We have been practicing all winter together, and really for the past 14 years too", said Monfils.
All in all, I am picking Kei Nishikori to win this match.
Monfils finished runner-up in Rotterdam 2016 to Martin Klizan and lost to Rafael Nadal in the 2009 title match at the Ahoy Arena. "I was playing very solid, good first serves, playing aggressive and I was making nearly every ball", Nishikori said.
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