Gael Monfils edges past Viktor Troicki into the last eight – Rogers Cup 2011
Fifth seed Gael Monfils of France fought back after getting one set down to battle past twelfth seed, Serbian Victor Troicki in three sets 3-6, 7-6(0), 7-6(5) in the round of 16 at the Rogers Cup in Montreal on Thursday. The French
star needed two hours and 35 minutes to clinch a marathon match.
Troicki was first to take lead as he broke the Frenchman in the opening game of the match to take a 1-0 lead but he could not capitalise on the break of serve, levelling the score at 1-1. The Serbian broke again in the fifth game
and this time he won his next service game to grab a 4-2 lead. Monfils failed to hold his game when he served to stay in the set at 3-5, losing the set 3-6.
The Serbian won most of the points on the first serve and first return, claiming eleven of the twelve first service points and ten of the nineteen second service points in the first set.
Troicki and Monfils produced a great serving display in the second set, holding their serve throughout the set to take the score to 6-6 and forced a tie-break. The Serbian, however, had a dreadful tie-break as he failed to win
a single point, losing it 0-7.
Although, Monfils could not hit any ace but still he served very well in the second set. The French clinched 21 of the 28 first service points and saved all the three break points he faced in the second set.
Monfils and Troicki held their serve until the seventh game of the third set, when the Serbian broke his opponent to take a 4-3 lead. The Frenchman saved three match points in the tenth game and finally broke Troicki to level the
score at 5-5. Monfils and Troicki held their serve in the next two games to square off the score at 6-6. The French hit a forehand winner to claim an early mini-break and capitalised on it to win the tie-break 7-5.
After that match, Monfils said, "My belief is I know I can run forever, and physically to be like in the red limit, I know I need to push hard. So maybe mentally I'm strong because I know I can run forever and I can cover my court
for many hours. Maybe that's why I was a bit stronger than him today."
The world number 7 will take on top seed Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the quarterfinals.
Tags: