In a quarter-final at Roland-Garros in 2014, the Briton won in five sets against the Frenchman (6-4, 6-1, 4-6, 1-6, 6-0). Often injured in recent seasons, Murray, soon to be 36, and Monfils, who turns 37 in September, had not crossed paths since.
The reunion between the two players, both invited by the organizers of the Aix-en-Provence Challenger, turned to the advantage of the Scot.
The former world N.1, now 52nd, made the break twice against the former N.6 fell to 332nd place to seize the first set 6-3.
Murray showed his science of the game and his usual qualities as a defender while taking advantage of three double faults from Monfils during crucial points. Better entered the second set, the Frenchman however gave up his stake several times to lose 6-3, 6-2 in 1h22.
Winner of three Grand Slam tournaments (US Open 2012, Wimbledon 2013 and 2016) and double Olympic gold medalist, Murray plays with a metal prosthesis on one hip, placed after a serious injury suffered in 2019.
Monfils reappeared on the circuit in early March at Indiana Wells, after a seven-month absence due to a foot injury.
Murray will face another Frenchman in the next round, Laurent Lokoli (187th), who fell to Spaniard Albert Ramos (60th) 3-6, 6-4, 7-5.
© 2023 AFP