Gael Monfils edges past Alexandr Dolgopolov

Gael Monfils has booked his place in the third round of the Monte Carlo Masters by beating Alexandr Dolgopolov 7-6(5) 7-6(6) this afternoon.

The Frenchman came through two tie-breaks in one hour and 51 minutes of play to set up a meeting with Roger Federer

It had appeared that Dolgopolov was on his way to winning the first set after breaking Monfils in the ninth game, but the 28-year-old quickly hit back with a break of his own.

The two players then held serve to set up a tie-break, which Monfils managed to edge 7-5 to take the set.

A tie-break was also needed to decide the second set, after both players had lost their service games twice, and once again the home favourite dug deep to claim an 8-6 win to see off his Ukrainian opponent.