French Open 2015: Roger Federer passes Gael Monfils test to reach the quarterfinals
Roger Federer got the better of Gael Monfils 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 to advance to the quarterfinals of the French Open. The match resumed after it was suspended last evening due to bad light.
Federer looked in complete control in the opening set as he broke Monfils’ serve in the second game thanks to a double fault by the Frenchman. The Swiss meastro was solid on his own serves and outfoxed the Frenchman on several occasions including the longest rally of the set at deuce in the sixth game. Federer did not waste any time as he brought up three set points in the ninth game which he promply converted of first asking with a superb forehand.
Monfils did not take long to seize the edge in the second set as he broke Federer’s serve in the second game with a brilliant forehand down the line winner. The 17-time Grand Slam champion brought it back on serve in the ninth game after a gruelling rally. Monfils won the second set to keep the crowd going after Federer let go off the advantage from 40-30 up.
The match resumed this morning and Federer found his rhythm from the word go as he breaks Monfils in the first game of the third with a thumping forehand. The Frenchm,an found himself 0-40 down in the fifth game, but dug deep to save all of them including two unreturnable serves. Federer was too good for La Monf in the tenth game as he finishes off the point with a brilliantly placed forehand.
The 2009 champion is well aware of Monfils’ danger after having lost to him on clay in their previous two meetings. The fourth set was strewn with errors from the Frenchman as he handed Federer three break point chances in the fifth game, which the Swiss took as he slammed one past Monfils’ reach. The Frenchman saved one match point in the seventh game, but hit a forehand long off the second to send Federer to yet another quarterfinal at Roland Garros.
Federer will face his compatriot Stan Wawrinka in the last eight.