In fourteen meetings Monfils has never managed a win over Djokovic but every time they clash there is an air of expectation that the run may end.
Monfils has won this year in Doha, defeating top seed Thiem in the semis and Rublev in the final.
Djokovic has Andre Agassi in his corner and is coming back from injury but was impressive in the opening round victory against Donald Young.
Djokovic began with two double faults and handed Monfils a pair of break points.
One was needed and the French entertainer led 1-0.
A service hold by Gaël and a continued terrible serving exhibition by Novak - four double faults in two games - had Monfils 3-0.
A double fault from Monfils gave back one of the breaks and he led 3-1.
Djokovic brought it back to 3-3 but was broken again in the seventh game - a double fault and an unforced error crucial - this time enough for Monfils to ultimately take the first set 6-4.
Monfils was clearly suffering with the conditions in the second set, and finally he lost serve in the eighth game, Djokovic leading 5-3.
A forehand winner sealed the set 6-3 and things were even.
Monfils argued that conditions were such that he needed to go off the court and so he did.
Dominic Thiem (5) defeated Denis Kudla 6-7(6) 3-6 6-3 6-2 6-3.
Angie Kerber (21) defeated Donna Vekic 6-4 6-1.
Karolina Pliskova (6) defeated Beatriz Haddad Maia 6-1 6-1.
Tomas Berdych (19) defeated Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 6-3 2-6 6-2 6-3.
Lucie Safarova (29) defeated Sorana Cirstea 6-2 6-4.
Aliaksandra Sasnovich defeated Mirjana Lucic-Baroni 6-3 6-1.
Ana Bogdan defeated Yulia Putintseva 1-6 6-2 6-3.
Lauren Davis defeated Andrea Petkovic 4-6 6-0 6-0.
Back from his five minute sojourn, Monfils offered 3 break points in the third game of set three and Novak converted the first to lead 2-1.
A further break of serve and Novak had 4-1 which he converted into 5-1 with a hold of serve.
Two set points and Djokovic required just one and led 4-6 6-3 6-1.
Fabio Fognini (25) defeated Evgeny Donskoy 2-6 6-3 6-4 6-1.
Adrian Mannarino (26) defeated Jiri Vesely 6-3 7-6(4) 5-7 6-3.
Monfils appeared less stressed early in the fourth set and serve was held in the first four games 2-2.
Out of nowhere Djokovic was down two break points - both saved.
Another double fault presented a third break chance - also saved.
A loose forehand and a fourth break point - saved with a forehand winner.
Deuce with a forehand winner from Monfils.
Djokovic held after almost ten minutes - 3-2.
Madison Keys (17) defeated Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-0 6-1.
A couple of winning backhands highlighted the sixth game service hold of Monfils, and this was followed by Novak holding for 4-3, sealed with an ace.
Two break points on the Monfils serve and to Djokovic’s delight the break came - he would serve for a third round berth.
One break point and three match points saved before Djokovic won 4-6 6-3 6-1 6-3.
15-0 now the head to head record and Novak will play Albert Ramos-Vinolas (21) in the third round.
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