Watch: Too Cool for School Monfils Tutors Zverev

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Watch: Too Cool for School Monfils Tutors Zverev

When you’re 18 and grinding away on the ATP Tour, there are lessons to be had. Rising German Alexander Zverev has had his share of them in these last few extremely productive weeks that have seen him reach back-to-back quarterfinals in Montpellier (semifinal) and Rotterdam.

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On Friday, less than 24 hours after pulling a stunning upset of Gilles Simon, the kid they call “Sascha” met his match against the magical, mystical Monfils at the ABN Amro. After a nip-and-tuck first set, won by Monfils in a tiebreaker, the Frenchman pulled away from Zverev to book his spot in the semifinals.

Just for good measure, Monfils handed out a free lesson in how to casually frustrate an overburdened opponent with a gentle flick of the wrist. Zverev, who has shown so much potential in these last two weeks but also displayed his immaturity, will likely remember the lesson.

Some kill with power on the ATP Tour, but others prefer to do it softly, with a feathery touch and a flick of the wrist—especially when the effect it has on an opponent can be doubly rewarding.

Monfils claimed the 7-6(4), 6-3 victory and will move on to face Philipp Kohlschreiber in tomorrow’s semifinals. Kohlschreiber knocked off second-seeded Marin Cilic, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

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