Carlos Alcaraz will face Gael Monfils at the Shanghai Masters (Image: Getty)
Carlos Alcaraz will be out to avenge one of his worst losses of the year.
The 38-year-old tour veteran shocked the world No. 2 at the recent Cincinnati Open.
But Monfils is already expecting Alcaraz to get his revenge when they meet in the fourth round.
Monfils is through to the last 16 of the Shanghai Masters for the first time in 11 years. But he will have a tough test if he wants to match his best-ever result at the tournament – a quarter-final.
The former world No. 6 takes on second seed Alcaraz on Wednesday. Monfils shocked Alcaraz in the Spaniard’s opening match at the Cincinnati Open, leaving the 20-year-old so frustrated he smashed his racket for the first time.
Despite upsetting the four-time Grand Slam champion in their last meeting, Monfils has all but thrown the towel in already. Asked if he could repeat his feat, the Frenchman replied: “No, no, I think he will beat me. He will crush me a hundred per cent, you know.
“I think I was just lucky, as I said. Last time I was very fortunate, and it was not a good match from him, and one of my good match from me.”
After making a concerning statement about his hopes for their Shanghai clash, Monfils piled praise on the world No. 2. The 38-year-old was at his prime during the Big Three era and knows a thing or two about facing legends of the game.
Monfils continued: “His level is unbelievable. I have also done great myself, but he’s, as I say, coming up legend.
“So, I guess he will crush me, but as I say, I will do everything to not be crushed too easy, in a way. But everything is bonus, it’s bonus, you know.
“It’s not like I come up on the court, of course, with the attitude, because I have the experience. But now I have the experience, and I can talk like for real, you know, this kid is something else.”
Although he’s giving himself virtually no chance, the world No. 46 is looking forward to their fourth meeting. “So, honestly, 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,” he added.
“I’m going to enjoy myself, but as a real man I tell you, no, this kid is something else.”
Monfils has already upset two seeds during his run to the last 16. He ousted Sebastian Baez in the second round before beating countryman Ugo Humbert on Tuesday.
After beating Humbert, he said: “As I said last time, any win, it’s something, it means that I still got it, can still compete against great players. So, you know, it’s another one today, just happy with that.”
