Purcell Records Biggest Career Win, Upsets Monfils In Eastbourne

Australia’s Max Purcell recorded the biggest win of his career on Wednesday at the Viking International Eastbourne for a place in his first ATP Tour quarter-final.

The World No. 283 knocked out top-seeded Frenchman and 2017 finalist Gael Monfils 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 in two hours and 10 minutes at Devonshire Park.

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“It feels unbelievable,” said Purcell. “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 favourite 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.”

Purcell beat former World No. 5 and 2018 Wimbledon runner-up Kevin Anderson in the first round of Eastbourne qualifying. He will next challenge 2011 champion and fellow lucky loser Andreas Seppi, who defeated Emil Ruusuvuori of Finland 6-2, 6-3 in 69 minutes.

Monfils came within two points of defeat at 4-5 in the second set, but a crosscourt forehand winner sparked the Frenchman into life. From 3-5 down in the second set, Monfils won seven straight games before Purcell won five in a row to lead 5-3 in the decider. Purcell calmly closed out just his third tour-level win of the year with a hold to 15.

Monfils struck 16 aces past Purcell, but failed in his quest to reach his first ATP Tour quarter-final since February 2020 at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships (l. to Djokovic in the semi-finals).

Elsewhere at the ATP 250 event, eighth-seeded Kazakhstani Alexander Bublik won 25 of 31 first-service points to beat Egor Gerasimov of Belarus 6-2, 6-2 in 66 minutes. He will now play third seed Lorenzo Sonego of Italy or Australia's John Millman.