Gael Monfils knocked out third seed Marin Cilic to reach the second round of the Dubai Tennis Championships. Monfils had won their three previous meetings - and the Frenchman broke in the first and ninth games to win the opening set, 6-3. Cilic got back on level terms taking the second set 6-4 after a single break of serve. But it was one-way traffic against the Croatian in the third, as Monfils completed a 6-3, 4-6, 6-0 win in an hour and 45 minutes. Monfils will next face Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis for a place in the quarter-finals.