AO Player of the Day: Gael Monfils

By Niko Vercelletto Jan 18, 2018
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AO Player of the Day: Gael Monfils

Brutally hot weather was a major hit against the Frenchman.

ByNiko Vercelletto

Published Jan 18, 2018

Each day of the Australian Open, Baseline will feature an AO Player of the Day that may not be the most famous face or headline-stirring upset, but someone who earned special recognition.

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Novak Djokovic may have won his second round match against Gael Monfils, but it was the Frenchman who had a tougher time with the heat. At almost 103 degrees (39 celsius), both players complained about the scorching rays during the match, and took extra time between points.

Monfils was dizzy and needed to see the doctor a couple times, later saying he suffered a small heat stroke. What makes it worse is that he was up a set over the Serb for the first time since 2013. However, despite the insufferable conditions, the 31-year-old didn't gave up. That type of tenacity deserves recognition.

Djokovic won the match, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1, 6-3.

Read Joel Drucker and Nina Pantic on TENNIS.com as they report from the Australian Open, and watch them each day on The Daily Mix:

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