Gael Monfils has grabbed a place in the third round of the US Open by securing a 7-5 6-3 6-2 victory over Alejandro Gonzalez at Flushing Meadows.
The Frenchman had a shaky start to the first set by losing his opening service game in a battling contest with Gonzalez, who took the first break of the contest.
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However, Monfils was able to immediately respond with a break of his own, which set the tone for the rest of the set.
After securing a third break, Monfils took a one-set lead in New York and continued his dominance by breaking Gonzalez in his opening game of the second set.
The Colombian struggled to find his feet as Monfils needed just one more break to take a comfortable two-set lead.
Once again, Gonzalez relinquished his opening service game, but came close to breaking back by pushing the Frenchman to deuce, but Monfils was able to hold out and keep the edge in the third set.
The 27-year-old's victory was delayed slightly after Gonzalez prevented him from gaining match point twice and then broke his opponent's serve, but it was just a matter of time before Monfils won the third set to book himself a place in the next round of the Grand Slam.
Danielle Joynson
