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World No. 283 Max Purcell couldn't hide his happiness and excitement after stunning Gael Monfils on the grass courts of Eastbourne. Purcell, who entered the Eastbourne main draw as a lucky lsoer, stunned No. 1 seed Monfils in three sets 6-4 5-7 6-3 to reach the Eastbourne quarterfinal.
“It feels unbelievable,” said Purcell, per the ATP website. “I’ve struggled to get into any singles events over the past nine months and primarily played doubles, so to get on a run here, on my favourite surface, is great.
I thought I’d come out and have a go. When I missed the opportunity to close out the match at 5-4 in the second set, Gael showed what a good player he is”. Purcell was on the verge of a loss Purcell realized the first break point of the match in the seventh game to take a 4-3 lead.
Monfils saved two set points in the ninth game but Purcell realized his third set point in the 10th game to win the opener. Monfils then failed to convert any of his three break points in the second game but also saved two break points in the fifth game.
Purcell again broke Monfils in the seventh game of a set but failed to serve out for the match in the 10th game. After failing to serve out for the match in the 10th game, Purcell lost his focus as Monfils broke again in the 12th game to win the set and force a decider.
After stealing the second set, Monfils started the third set with a 3-0 lead. Purcell, who lost seven consecutive games, then claimed back-to-back breaks and won five games in a row to take a 5-3 third set lead. Monfils served out the ninth game to end Purcell's five-game run but the Australian converted his second match point in the following game to book a three-set win. Purcell plays next against Andreas Seppi, who beat Emil Ruusuvuori.