Monfils beats Blake in two long sets

Gael Monfils of France served 15 aces to beat John Blake of the United States 7-6 (5), 7-5 in the first round of the U.S. Men's Clay Court Championships on Monday.

Blake, once ranked No. 4, played his 51st match at River Oaks Country Club, where he is a crowd favorite, but Monfils won cheers for his performance in his first match in the city.

Monfils, who played in only 10 tournaments last year because of a knee injury, matched the sixth-highest total of aces in the tournament. He will next face top-seeded Nicolas Almagro of Spain.

Rhyne Williams of the United States, playing on a wild card, beat Guido Pella of Argentina 7-5, 7-5 in an earlier first-round match.

Monfils broke Blake in the 11th game of the second set on three straight errors by Blake and wrapped it up quickly with a love final game that included two aces. He won at the first match point on Blake's backhand error.

"I am 100 percent with the level the way I played," Monfils said. "I was happy the way I was moving. I c

Source: http://network.yardbarker.com/tennis/article_external/monfils_beats_blake_in_two_long_sets/13352821

Orlando Magic Chicago Bears