For just the third time in his long career, the 38-year-old came from two-sets-to-love down to win \u2014 and for the first time at Roland Garros \u2014 thrilling the home crowd in a match that ended past midnight.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In a three-hour, 34-minute thriller, the right-hander completed a comeback by winning three consecutive sets for the first time in a decade, having last done it to beat fellow Frenchman Lucas Pouille in the first round of the Australian Open in 2015.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Monfils\u2019 escape was a milestone win for several reasons. It was his 40th Roland Garros victory, tying him with Yannick Noah for most wins at the event among Frenchmen in the Open era.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Twelve of those successes have come in five sets \u2014 an Open era record, too. He had previously been tied with Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka in that category.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Every time I play Roland-Garros it's magical. I had a run-in with the (courtside signage), I had a little scare, and it took me a while to come back because of the pressure,\" Monfils said in an on-court interview.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI want to play well for myself, but also for you, because it's an honour and a privilege to play in a night session.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"The energy was high and I knew the moment the Marseillaise rang out that it had turned. It's moments like that, when I know I've gained the momentum and then, with this communion with you, I know it's won,\" he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Monfils will next play No.5 seed Jack Draper in the second round on Thursday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"The energy was high and I knew the moment the Marseillaise rang out that it had turned. It's moments like that, when I know I've gained the momentum and then, with this communion with you, I know it's won,\" he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Also Read: <\/b> LIVE Cricket Score<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n