Gael Monfils makes ‘crush’ prediction ahead of match against ‘up-and-coming legend’ Carlos Alcaraz

The last time Gael Monfils came up against Carlos Alcaraz in a match, the Frenchman came away with the upset win.
The two will have a rematch in the fourth round of the Shanghai Masters, but Monfils does not fancy his chances this time around as he believes the Spaniard will get revenge as he will “crush” him.
When the pair faced each other in the second round of the Cincinnati Open in August, Alcaraz was the hot favourite as he was fresh from winning silver at the 2024 Paris Olympics and Monfils went as far as describing him as a legend as he sees him in the same light as Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
“At that moment, of course, I see him as Novak, as Rafa, as Roger,” he told the official ATP Tour website. “So for me, he’s just a little bit younger, but he is already [like] those legends.”
But it was the veteran who came away with the 4-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-4 victory.
They will meet again in Shanghai after Monfils upset 16th seed Ugo Humbert in three set and the former world No 6 believes he only has a one per cent change of beating Alcaraz this time around.
“I think he will beat me. He will crush me a hundred per cent,” he said. “Last time I was very fortunate and it was not a good match from him, and one of my good matches from me.
“His level is unbelievable. I have also done great myself but he’s a coming-up legend.
“I will do everything not to be crushed too easily, in a way. But everything is a bonus.
“It’s going to be a 99 per cent chance for him, but just to get a per cent, you know, so that’s why you go. I’m going to enjoy myself.”
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Alcaraz also made an early exit from the US Open after his loss to Monfils, but he has found form again as he won his two singles and two doubles matches at the Laver Cup and followed it up with a title run at the China Open last week.
The Spaniard booked his place in the last 16 with a straight-set win over Chinese wildcard Wu Yibing to take his winning run to 11 matches in all competitions.
“It’s great to have that winning streak, hopefully keep it going, let’s see,” Alcaraz said. “As I said, I’ve been feeling really comfortable on the court the whole match that I’ve been playing. I’ve been playing great tennis, hopefully keep going, as I said.
“I think I’m doing great off the court, that helps me a lot to feel really comfortable on the court. Yeah, it’s something that I’ve thought about it.”