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Dustin Brown at the ATP Montpellier in 2016, credit : Tennisnerd

As any tennis coach will tell you: in the course of a tennis season, an average player usually plays three matches at an exceptional level, but also three matches well below his average level.

Generally correlated with the confidence of the moment, these fluctuations in performance make tennis inherently unpredictable, sometimes resulting in incomprehensible match scenarios in which a player completely dominates the match for a short time before completely falling apart in the following sets.

The question is, how far can someone go? At the top of his game, how high can a top 100 player rise? We may never have a precise answer, but one match will undoubtedly remain the perfect illustration of the over-achieving phenomenon of an athlete finding unexpected resources.

In 2016, the Mozart of French tennis, Richard Gasquet, reached the semi-finals of the ATP Montpellier and probably had no idea of the fate his opponent had in store for him during the first part of a match that had no logic whatsoever.

Dustin Brown facing Richard Gasquet at the Montpellier Open, credit : Midi Libre.

« He is toying with the world Number 10 »

With his long dreadlocks, Rasta style and not exactly academic strokes, on paper Dustin Brown doesn't look like the elegant, gentlemanly player often associated with the image of an elitist sport like tennis.

Already well known for his accomplishments at Wimbledon, the eccentric German carries with him a reputation as a freestyle player, capable of both the best and the worst.

Entering the Montpellier arena, Richard Gasquet, then number 10 in the world, certainly suspected the style of match he was about to play.

An hour later, the French prodigy was speechless in front of an indisputable scoreboard: 6-1, 3-0. Dustin Brown is in a state of grace.

To the laughter of the audience and commentators amused by the absurdity of Brown's level of play, the Jamaican continued to deliver spectacular points, going so far as to make the impossible possible.

Brown showing his acrobatic skills at Wimbledon , credit : TennisMajors

Stunning passing shot, diving volley, overpowering forehand... during this breathtaking first part of the match, the ATP Tour artist couldn't seem to miss a thing.

Unable to maintain such a high level, and surely at the end of his physical endurance, Dustin Brown lost a match he seemed to be flying over.

Although the now-retired player didn't win the match, he did demonstrate to the world a player's ability to reach new heights, if only for a few moments…