ATP: Monfils, Brown out – Not an afternoon for entertainers in Munich

With Dustin Brown and Gael Monfils, two of the most unorthodox players dropped out of the ATP World Tour 250 tournament in Munich on Tuesday almost simultaneously. But it looks good for the hosts otherwise.

By Jens Huiber from Munich

It was enough for a few highlight shots this Tuesday in Munich with Gael Monfils – but not for the second victory in the fifth appearance at the MTTC Iphitos. 2:6, 6:3 and 3:6 was the final score from the Frenchman’s point of view, who once again made too many mistakes against Mirza Basic. A concentrated performance was enough for the Bosnians to move into the second round of the ATP tournament in Munich.

Monfils´ appearance took place after the adequately documented mishap with his bat transport under suboptimal omen. However, a man of experience and class like the 31-year-old, who lives in Geneva, should have the means and improvisation skills to get into shape for an ATP tournament kick-off match. Even if it’s the first one after a long break.

Surprisingly at the same time as Monfils, the second entertainer, who gave himself the honour on the day of work in Munich, bid farewell: Dustin Brown had to give up against Maximilian Marterer at 6:5 in the first set. And this on Court 1, where Brown is particularly comfortable. And where he said goodbye to Stan Wawrinka years ago in the end under precarious lighting conditions. This time it was Brown who had to leave the second largest court with an injury to his right calf and lowered head, to the regret of the spectators who had ennobled the German duel with full stands.

The Franke Marterer, who trains at the tennis base in Oberhaching, can now compete with Diego Schwartzman – as one of eight Germans who made it to the round of sixteen of the Open Bavarian Tennis Championships. The experienced mathematician recognizes a share of 50 percent, a German semi-finalist from the top quarter is already guaranteed: Alexander Zverev, Yannick Hanfmann, Jan-Lennard Struff and Yannick Maden will compete for a slot in the semi-finals.

But the disappointment of the afternoon was Gael Monfils, who had spread a good mood at the Players´ party the evening before. The Frenchman started the year well with the tournament victory in Doha, caught Novak Djokovic too early at the Australian Open, then took part in the South America swing on sand. The appearance in Munich was the first on European ashes this season, perhaps also a reason why the Werkel did not run smoothly.

The main impetus for this year’s tournament comes from the local players anyway: from Philipp Kohlschreiber, who has delivered a very strong performance against Ivo Karlovic. And by defending champion Zverev, who will enter the tournament on Wednesday against Hanfmann.

Here the single tableau in Munich