Draper tames Monfils and wild Paris crowd in epic French Open game

Under the floodlights of Court Philippe-Chatrier, a captivated crowd of 15,000 witnessed a captivating showdown as Britain's Jack Draper faced off against French showman Gaël Monfils in a French Open second-round clash. For extended periods of the match, particularly late into Thursday night, Draper appeared visibly rattled, struggling to find his rhythm amidst the raucous home support directed squarely at his opponent.

Monfils, at 38, has become synonymous with electrifying night sessions at Roland-Garros, and his magnetic personality consistently draws the home crowd into a frenzy. His unique, improvisational style often plays tricks on an opponent's mind, creating a whirlwind of athleticism and unexpected shots. Two nights prior, Monfils had orchestrated a magical comeback from two sets down, proving his resilience. Against Draper, he once again tested his opponent's limits.

Draper, the fifth seed, initially asserted control, dictating play comfortably with his serve and forehand to claim the opening set 6-3. However, Monfils soon rose to the challenge, as every unforced error from Draper fueled the crowd's vocal encouragement. The atmosphere seemed to get to the young Briton; his forehand began to falter, piling up unforced errors as Monfils' tenacious defense forced him to overplay. The Frenchman then unleashed his signature magic, effortlessly turning points around from seemingly impossible positions with breathtaking athleticism and exquisite hand skills. He quickly leveled the match at one set all with a 6-4 win.

'My brain was fried out here'

As the match progressed into the fourth set, Monfils' focus momentarily waned, and Draper appeared set to regain full control after securing the third set 6-3. The Briton even generated four break points in Monfils' opening service game. Yet, Monfils, with characteristic flair, miraculously held serve and then embarked on a remarkable series of games, alternating between drawing errors from Draper, relentlessly chasing down every ball, and unleashing devastating forehands from inside the baseline. Draper later confessed, "My brain was fried out here. I’m not sure if I’m gonna go to sleep tonight, my brain is just all over the place with what he’s doing out there."

Monfils established a commanding 5-2 lead in the fourth set, even generating double set point on Draper's serve at 5-4, seemingly on the verge of forcing a decisive fifth set. However, in the most crucial moments of the match, Draper showcased incredible mental durability. The 23-year-old, notably fresher physically than his veteran opponent, played focused, aggressive tennis. He reeled off an astounding five consecutive games to seize the set 7-5 and, with it, the match.

At the conclusion of an unforgettable night on Court Philippe-Chatrier, the two competitors shared a long embrace at the net, with Monfils offering enthusiastic encouragement to his victorious opponent. After enduring over three hours of the notorious French crowd's fervent support for his rival, Draper finally received their well-deserved congratulations.

"I think I have to acknowledge Gaël," Draper humbly stated. "It is the first time on the court but what a battle, what an experience against someone I admire as a tennis player, but off the court the guy’s incredibly nice. Such a joker, he’s a magician. He does everything. Huge respect to him and I hope he is able to play here one more time again."

Draper's reward for this hard-fought victory is another intriguing challenge in the third round against 18-year-old Brazilian wonderkid João Fonseca. Draper previously defeated Fonseca en route to his Indian Wells title earlier this year, setting the stage for another compelling encounter.