By Tennis Now | Wednesday, June 23, 2021
Lucky loser Max Purcell withstood 16 aces and a seven-game run from Gael Monfils to reach his first ATP quarterfinal in Eastbourne.
Photo credit: @the_LTA
Lucky loser Max Purcell scored the most wondrous win of his career today.
The 283rd-ranked Aussie stunned top-seeded Gael Monfils 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 scoring the biggest win of his life to advance to his first ATP quarterfinal on the grass courts of Eastbourne.
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Purcell, who edged compatriot James Duckworth 6-2, 3-6, 7-6(5) in his opening-round win, withstood 16 aces from the explosive Frenchman in a two hour, 10-minute victory.
Down a set and 3-5, Monfils tore through seven straight games as he bid to reach his first ATP quarterfinal since Dubai in March, 2020. Purcell responded with a five-game run of his own to go up 5-3 before serving out the victory in the 10th game.
“It feels unbelievable,” Purcell said. “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 favorite 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.”
The 23-year-old Purcell, who topped 2018 Wimbledon finalist and ex-World No. 5 Kevin Anderson 7-6(7), 4-6, 6-3 in the opening round of Eastbourne qualifying, will take on fellow lucky loser Andreas Seppi for a semifinal spot.
The 37-year-old Seppi won 30 of 36 first-serve points dismissing Emil Ruusuvuori 6-2, 6-3 in 68 minutes.
No. 2-seeded Alex de Minaur saved seven of eight break points subduing British wild card Liam Broady 6-3, 6-4.
Next up for Queen's Club semifinalist de Minaur is former Wimbledon doubles champion Vasek Pospisil.
Pospisil celebrated his 31st birthday advancing in Eastbourne. Pospisil held a 7-6(1) lead over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina when the Spaniard retired due to an apparent back strain. De Minaur is 3-0 lifetime vs. Pospisil.