Jack Draper's opponent to ask French Open organisers for huge favour ahead of clash

must wait to learn whether he will be given primetime night session billing at the . Only one match is played in the 8.15pm evening slot, which is sold as a separate ticket, and the world No. 5 seems a lock for a late start as he takes on French favourite in round two.

The evening session has been a contentious talking point in recent years, and most top players actually favour playing in the day. But Monfils has already shared his love for playing in front of the nighttime crowd and is planning to speak to the tournament director ahead of his showdown with Draper.

Former world No. 6 Monfils thrives under the lights on Court Philippe-Chatrier and has pulled off some epic escapes after dark. On Tuesday, he survived an early injury scare and stormed back from two sets down to beat Hugo Dellien 4-6 3-6 6-1 7-6(4) 6-1 just after midnight.

Two years ago, an ailing Monfils came back from a 0-4 double-break deficit in the decider to oust Sebastian Baez in five sets while ranked outside of the world's top 350.

And the 38-year-old Frenchman is hoping he can have another late night on Chatrier against British No. 1 Draper when they meet in the second round.

"I love night sessions. I think it's fabulous. I was lucky enough to have that several times. It's just extraordinary. I try to do the best I can," Monfils said after his battle with Dellien.

"I hope for the next match it will be a night session. It will depend on many things, including how I wake up in the morning, that I'm ready to face a big fight."

The world No. 42 has a good relationship with tournament director Amelie Mauresmo, who has already honoured his schedule requests in the past, and will give her the green light if he feels ready to return at 8.15pm on Thursday.

Monfils added: "I can thank Amelie. When Amelie asked me, I say, 'Okay, I'm ready or not'. When she asks me, I'll tell her if I'm ready to take on a night session.

"But if I feel I have hesitations, I won't hesitate to tell her, 'Well, no, I'll pass for this time'. So for the moment, I'm still warm, I feel good."

Now in his late 30s, Monfils has often struggled with physical issues and will need to see how he holds up after his three-hour and 36-minute battle with Dellien. Even if he feels fully fit, he knows facing Draper will be a tough task.

"I always said Jack would be a top-10 player. Like he was a youngster, played a lot in the practice," Monfils said of the Brit.

"I really like the kid. He's a fantastic player. He's a top five. He has a lot of weapons, a lot of weapons. He's very gifted. It's going to be a hard one. He's in full confidence.

"I will do what I do best, try to recover and try to give my best there in Paris, in Roland Garros, and we'll see what scenario we will have."

Monfils could have competition for the night slot. Novak Djokovic faces entertaining French star Corentin Moutet and Jannik Sinner takes on retiring former world No. 7 Richard Gasquet, while Brazilian teenage sensation - who caused a frenzy when hordes of fans formed an endless queue to watch him on Court 7 on Tuesday - meets another home hope, Pierre-Hugues Herbert.

But the Frenchman and he will face Draper on Thursday night. Meanwhile, Djokovic has been relegated to the second showcourt for the first time since 2022.