If Novak Djokovic spends three sets doing what he always does, and Gael Monfils spends three sets doing what he always does, what do you get? You get what transpired between them in their second-round match in Toronto on Wednesday. The Serb and the Frenchman gave their fans much of what they love about them, and a fair amount of what they find exasperating. And it ended the way it always does, with Djokovic improving his record to 10-0 against Monfils with a 6-2, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (2) win.
As often happens with these sorts of extravaganzas, it didn’t show any signs of being one through most of the first two sets. To no one’s surprise, Djokovic was in control during that time, and he appeared ready to put his customary sleeper hold on another opponent who couldn’t match his consistency. Novak was even comfortable enough to (a) come to net more often than normal, and (b) finish points with better volleys than normal once he got there. Djokovic was 33 of 42 at net on the day; only in the latter stages of the third set, when the match was on the line, did his volleys begin to betray him.
Monfils, meanwhile, put on a vintage performance. He headed a ball from the baseline to the opposite service line. He threw his racquet at a ball, and then chased the next shot down, despite not having a frame in his hand. He dove and hurt his ribs. He fired the best passing shot of the day, a crosscourt forehand bullet to save a break point. He committed nine double faults and made 55 unforced errors. He hit a 141-M.P.H. ace. He flustered Djokovic with soft, floating backhands. He was given a delay-of-game warning by chair umpire Jerry Armstrong, and then, a few points later, shot Armstrong a look when the ump wasn’t ready for a point to begin.