NEW YORK – Holding a two-set lead and with a trip to his third-ever U.S. Open quarterfinals within reach on Sunday, Gael Monfils decided he needed to tie his shoe. So he bent over and quickly adjusted his lace.
He did this in the middle of a point.
As Monfils attempted to tie his shoe, Marcos Baghdatis was getting set to smash a short Monfils lob on a bounce—on triple-game point in the first game of the third set. As if remembering there was a point happening, Monfils quickly stood up, faked a move left and darted right as Baghdatis struck a crosscourt forehand, which landed well within the Frenchman’s reach.