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The Argentine almost squandered away a big lead

Even though Monfils had his usual ups and downs, he played top level tennis at times and later complained about the wind. He said he would be more aggressive against Schwartzman, who almost squandered away his lead of breaks in the fourth set

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Even though what Monfils was saying ahead of the tournament didn't sound too confident and even though he once again complained about some small things once he stepped out on the court, the Frenchman was motivated, which is when he's one of the top players on tour. That is why expectations are so high in France but Monfils simply cannot do without his quirks it seems. He did two points brilliantly and then lost focus in the next one. He lost a set and could have lost two but in the end everything ended well as he beat Vasselin, who is not really a clay court player. 

Monfils won the first set and had a 5-3 lead in the second one to lose it in tie-break. Vasselin won the last four point but that didn't seem to upset Monfil. On the contrary, it took him only 23 minutes to sailed through the third set. He served for the win at 5-4 in the third one and lost that game but went on to win the next two. He could have won in straight sets and this match could have finished in five sets just as easily. That is Monfils even though he really seemed impressive at times.

- I'm happy because I mostly played well and got my level up when necessary. The conditions were tough and I fired almost 70 winners. It's not easy to play when it's windy. You have to adjust constantly - Mofils said. He was particularity happy about one of his shots:

- My return was working great which is important against players like Vasselin. When he serves well he attacks harder and has more confidence. I managed to prevent that through good return.

Monfils is now to meet a completely different opponent. Schwartzamn might not be very popular but some things get around anyway:

- It won't be easy. I know he forced Federer into the third set. I saw he is the kind of a player that doesn't give you anything for free, which is why I'm not going to be defense-oriented. Of course, there will be some long rallies. It has to be.

Schwartzman's first round match once again proved he an deal with the hard-hitters. Nishikori's opponents often say that the Japanese hits the ball very early which doesn't leave them with enough time. That is precisely the problem Haider-Maurer had. He doesn't have the best footwork and rarely had the chance to fire the ball from ideal positions. He in the end finished with 63 unforced mistakes even though he did almost force the 5th set.

The Argentine was unstoppable in the first set. He converted two break points but Haider Maurer managed to make a come back in the second set by winning 12 out of the last 13 points. Schwartzman went on to win the 3rd one and converted two break-points in the 4th one. Haider Maurer made a comeback, saved 5 match-points and took a 6-5 lead. He didn't have any set points, not even in tie break. The Argentine pulled through even though the nervousness almost forced him into the fifth set.

- It was close up until the very end but I think I'm adjusting to the top level better and better. I was tough in key moments and that makes me happy - he said about the problems he experienced in the very finish. He knows he cannot squander away two breaks again:

- Monfils is a dangerous player. I think I'll be in for a lot of running because he can fire a winner from any part of the court.