2010 BNP Paribas Masters Match Review: Gael Monfils vs. Andy Murray
As Friday drew to a close, the last quarterfinal of the event was played between the local favourite Gael Monfils and the top Brit Andy Murray.
It was the year 2006. French tennis legend Monfils recorded his first win against Murray at the Roland Garros. This was the pair’s second meeting and since then the two professionals have met twice more on the courts making their head-to-head score 3-1 in Murray’s favour. Now, four years later, the two return to play each other once more in Monfils’s home court, though this time it is the quarterfinal match of the BNP Paribas Masters at Bercy. History repeats itself, as Monfils once more capitalizes on the home court advantage to record another win over Murray.
Twelfth seed Monfils moved into the quarterfinals after a crucial match against Spaniard Fernando Verdasco. Monfils forced Verdasco’s exit with a 6-7(4), 7-6(2), 7-5 win in their third round match. Crushing Verdasco’s hopes of a London qualification, Monfils win ensured that Roddick, Berdych and Ferrer make the cut for the elite eight-man field in the London finals.
As the two take to the court, Monfils is troubled with a sore knee whereas a tender wrist ails the Brit. Although the crowd waited to see whose injury would give way first ending the match abruptly, the two professionals entertained the crowd with a spectacular three-setter that lasted for an hour and forty-eight minutes.
Monfils took an early lead of 2-1 in the first set. Although Murray tried to keep up by winning one more game, Monfils was still in the lead with 3-2. The French then denied the Brit four consecutive games, winning the set 6-2. Murray tried to bounce back in the second set and succeeded with a 6-2 win. With one set each, the match entered the decider set. Having played three-setters each the night before, the two superstars were tired and drained for the match. As it was visible by his slow reactions in the decider, Murray was a tad bit more tired than the French was. With the whole Paris crowd backing Monfils, the French managed to repeat his first set score winning the decider by 6-2. Monfils served a total of six aces in the entire match with no double faults committed and a loss of twenty-two points of sixty-eight on service.
A fatigued Murray talking to the press after the match says, "I just tried to keep the points shortish. It worked middle set but didn't really work in the third set as well. Obviously the atmosphere is great and you can lift your game a little bit. I wasn't feeling perfect going into the match and it can lift you. We had some good points. They support their home player very, very well here."
With a 6-2, 2-6, 6-2 win Monfils finds his way into the semis to face the Swiss phenomenon Roger Federer. Earlier in the day compatriot, Michael Llodra also made it to the semis making this the first time ever in the history of this tournament, when two French players have made it to the semis.
As Murray exits the tournament, he must now prepare himself for the London finals. While talking to the press he said, "[I'll] probably chill out for a few days and get a few good nights' sleep and just try and get the body right for London. I'll probably start practising on Monday or Tuesday."
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