INDIAN WELLS, California: Gael Monfils crushed Australian Max Purcell 6-1 6-2 to reach the second round of Indian Wells on Thursday but three-times Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka crashed out to Czech Tomas Machac.
Frenchman Monfils hit 10 aces and deployed the kind of creative shotmaking that has endeared himself to tennis fans in the California desert for years, soaking in the applause on a sunny centre court after sealing the dominant win.
His 19-year-old compatriot Arthur Fils, who advanced with a straight sets win over Nuno Borges, said Monfils was an inspiration.
“I don’t know how he did that because we were talking before the match about how Purcell is a very good opponent,” Fils told reporters. (Reuters)
