Second seed Gael Monfils was in sublime form against Yen-Hsun Lu of Taiwan on centre court as he eased past the 32-year-old 6-3, 6-2 in one hour two minutes. The world number 17 will face either 16th seed Borna Coric or Yuichi Sugita in the third round at Citi Open.
Dominant Monfils breaks two to secure opening set
Both players started the match by holding their own service game. Monfils then gained a break point in the third game at 30-40. Following a number of errors in the game, the world number 17 got the early break in the match. Monfils consolidated the break with an ace out wide for 3-1. In the upcoming game, Lu stepped up and battled to hold his serve to stop any danger of this becoming a one-sided set.
Monfils then went 4-2 before having three break point chances saved by the Taiwan-born, who managed to hang on in the match. The Frenchman was looking focused and forcing the error from the world number 71. The 29-year-old held to love before, in the next game coming from love-30 down to clinch the set 6-3.
Monfils advances to third round
The start of the second set was one-sided and Monfils began to pull out the tricks. After holding his opening service game, Monfils then gained a break point opportunity. With the score at 30-15, the Frenchman was engaged in a rally before changing the pace on his forehand side and unleashing a damaging shot. In the following point, Lu served a double-fault and Monfils went 2-0 up. The French number three then held serve and consolidated the break for a 3-0 lead.
Monfils, in the next game, made Lu work for it as he gained a break point opportunity for a double break. However, Lu saved the point and got on the board for the first time in the set at 3-1. Three games gone, Monfils was still dominating and overpowering the 32-year-old and at 40-30, he reached his firs match points of the game. The Frenchman converted at the first time of asking to book his spot in the third round at the Citi Open. This was only Monfils' second match since Rome due to a groin injury. At Wimbledon, he came back but crashed out to Jeremy Chardy in five sets.
Match Stats
Gael Monfils served ten aces and just one double-fault, while Yen-Hsun Lu served one ace and six double-faults. The Frenchman didn't face a single break point, but his Taiwan opponent managed to save 50 percent, however, Monfils, converted four of his own as he went a double-break up in each set. The world number 17 won 84 percent of returns and Lu only managed to win 52 percent.