Daniil Medvedev was knocked out of the ATP/WTA Indian Wells Masters, ending Russia’s three-week reign as world number one in a surprise defeat to Gael Monfils on Monday. France’s world number 28 Monfils advanced to the fourth round with an old performance to beat Medvedev 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 in just two hours. It was the first time the 35-year-old Monfils has beaten the world number one since 2009. The defeat means Novak Djokovic will return to the top of the world rankings three weeks after Medvedev took the top spot on February 28.
Monfils won in 2 hours and 6 minutes after turning his sixth match point into brilliant sunshine at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in the California desert.
The veteran Frenchman patted his chest and pointed to his Ukrainian wife Elina Svitolina in the stands after a spectacular performance.
“I’ve had a strong start to the year, feeling strong, going well,” Monfils said.
“I’m in my field and I’m a tough opponent for anyone. It’s been a long time since I beat the world number one, so I’m very happy.”
Defending US Open champion Medvedev looked in control after taking a medically first set shortly after breaking Monfils to a 5-4 lead.
Monfils broke early in the second set to lead 3-1, but Medvedev was back at 3-3.
Monfils earned a set point in the eighth game with a brilliant backhand and the second with a cheeky underarm serve.
Medvedev’s restraint was breached in the deciding set, with the Russian earning a code violation for breaking his racket in despair after breaking in the first game.
Monfils held up and then went through a double break before being caught again for a 4–0 lead.
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With the next two games to serve, Medvedev was soon in trouble in the seventh game, 0-40 and three match-points down after blasting an overhead smash long.
The Russian did well to regain those three match points, and Monfils made two more saves before eventually changing his sixth.
Meanwhile Medvedev vowed to regain his No. 1 ranking at next week’s Miami Open.
“Now I know I’m going to lose it (the rankings), so I have Miami to try to get it back,” Medvedev said.
“Generally it feels a little better in terms of tennis in Miami, so we’ll try to play well there.
“When I play my best tennis, my good tennis, it’s really hard for me to beat. But the hardest part of tennis is to reproduce it from time to time.”
26th seed Monfils will face rising Spanish star Carlos Alcaraz in the fourth round.
19 seed Alcaraz defeated compatriot Roberto Bautista Agut, 15th seed, 6-2, 6-0 to reach the last 16.
As Medvedev was reflecting on his early exit, Spanish star Rafael Nadal’s unbeaten start to 2022 continued with a straight-sets defeat to Britain’s Dan Evans.
The 21-time Grand Slam champion registered her 17th consecutive win of the year with a 7-5, 6-3 loss to the 27th seed.
Nadal will play either Reilly Opelka or Denis Shapovalov in the last 16.
In women’s singles, Russia’s Veronika Kudermatova entered the last 16 after her Czech opponent retired in the second set. Kudermetova was ahead 6-4, 0-2 when her opponent conceded defeat.
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Greece’s Maria Sakkari, looking to build on the 2021 breakout, which included two Grand Slam semi-finals, defeated Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic in straight sets.
Sakkari defeated the two-time Wimbledon champion 6-3, 6-0 to reach the fourth round.
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