Jack Draper Triumphs Over Gaël Monfils in Four-Set Thriller

PARIS, France – British tennis player Jack Draper, seeded fifth, pulled off a hard-fought victory against French veteran Gaël Monfils in the second round of the 2025 French Open on Thursday. Draper triumphed 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 in front of an enthusiastic crowd of around 15,000 at Court Philippe-Chatrier.

The match showcased Draper’s resilience as he faced Monfils, a 38-year-old fan favorite known for his flashy playing style. Draper, who kept his cool under pressure, took the final set after a tightly contested match.

“What a battle. What an experience,” Draper exclaimed after the match. He expressed admiration for Monfils, saying, “The guy’s incredible. I hope he’s able to play here one more time in the future.” Draper’s thoughts echoed the sentiments of many who attended the match.

Despite a spirited effort from Monfils that brought the crowd to its feet, he fell just short in the decisive moments. The first set went to Draper, while Monfils showed his mettle by breaking back in the second to take that set closely.

The intensity of the match peaked in the final set as both players exchanged brilliant points, with Draper eventually maintaining his composure to close it out. “He’s far from the baseline and the ball’s always in at the right speed,” Monfils remarked about Draper’s improvement in his return game.

Jack Draper will now advance to the third round, where he is set to face 18-year-old rising star Joao Fonseca, who earned his spot after defeating Pierre-Hugues Herbert 7-6(4), 7-6(4), 6-4 earlier in the day.

The atmosphere on Court Philippe-Chatrier on Thursday was electric, with fans rallying behind the local hero, Monfils, who graciously acknowledged the crowd’s support after the match. Monfils reflected on the emotional experience, expressing his intent to return to Roland Garros next year for another attempt at the title. “I think it’s hard to stop playing at Roland,” he said.