Before arriving in California, the Frenchman, seeded N.26, had not played for five weeks, flattened by a "mysterious" illness, in his own words.

But this was not seen on the central bathed in sunlight.

Because while the earth shook very slightly during the match near Indian Wells - at 3.1 on the Richter scale -, Monfils was at the epicenter of another slight earthquake in the tournament, leaving the Russian 4-6, 6-3, 6-1.

Medvedev, big favorite of the tournament with Rafael Nadal, hoped to finally pass the course of the 8th finals for his fifth participation.

He will still have to wait.

And in this Californian desert which is decidedly not successful for him, this setback is coupled with the assured loss of his place as world N.1, from next Monday, in favor of the Serbian Novak Djokovic, absent because not vaccinated against covid and in fact not allowed to travel to the United States.

His first set, however, gave a glimpse, not a walk in the park, but a better outcome than defeat.

Well-adjusted in defense, returning almost all the balls, he waited for Monfils to crack on his serve in the 9th game, with four consecutive unforced errors (including two double faults), to then pocket the first set on another shutout.

The rage of Gaël Monfils winner of Daniil Medvedev in Indian Wells, California, on 14 2022 CLIVE BRUNSKILL Getty / AFP

But Monfils continued to play his luck boldly, ramping up in the second set, while changing the pace with volleys, drop shots and even underarm serves.

"I'm happy right now"

The second, on a set point, pushed the Russian to the fault, to equalize at one set everywhere.

And the public, fan of this purveyor of "showtime" that is Monfils, to exult.

Spectators also laughed as he tested the sensitivity of the top of the net with his racquet tip when he had just sounded a "let" to nullify an ace, and when he chased away tiny critters melting on the ground in the sun with a towel. .

The show didn't stop there.

Because after a visit to the toilets of the two players - longer for Medvedev (about six minutes) -, Monfils continued to take the lead by always varying his shots, while his rival, guilty of yet another unforced error, this which he is not used to, smashed his racket on the ground, receiving a warning.

The sequel saw Monfils never loosen the noose, playing fair and strong when necessary, to offer himself on his 6th match point, after 2:07, the second victory of his career over a world N.1 after that won in 2009 against Rafael Nadal.

Exploit of Gaël Monfils winner of world No.1 Daniil Medvedev in Indian Wells, March 14, 2022 CLIVE BRUNSKILL Getty / AFP

The keys to his success on this meeting?

“My mobility, I moved very well and changed my punching speed a lot, to keep him from having a lot of rhythm, and I made him run. forehand," he explained hotly.

"It was great. I feel good. I had a good start to the year, I felt strong, I was moving well. I'm quite happy at the moment. I'm in my zone and I'm a tough opponent for anyone", added the Frenchman, already convincing for his entry into the running on Saturday against the Serbian Filip Krajinovic.

He will quickly have to evacuate any feeling of euphoria.

Because a very strong round of 16 awaits him, against the great Spanish hope Carlos Alcaraz (N.19), who made short work 6-2, 6-0 from his compatriot Roberto Bautista (N.15 ).

© 2022 AFP