Quarter-final Preview: Roger Federer vs. Gael Monfils – French Open 2011
Nothing can be more enthralling than the Swiss Maestro, Roger Federer, competing in the quarter-final of a Grand Slam event. The former world number one will take on the ninth ranked Frenchman, Gael Monfils, on Tuesday’s opening
match in the round of eight of Roland Garros in Paris, France. The much awaited contest will feature the Swiss tennis god battling out against the only local hope to book a berth in the semis of the second Grand Slam event of the running year.
Federer has been in sublime form in this year’s French Open and has devastated every opponent he faced en route to the quarter-final. He won all of his four initial round matches in straight sets to depict his true class and the
ballistic form he currently is in. Federer outplayed his fellow compatriot, Stanislas Wawrinka, in straight sets 6-3, 6-2, 7-5, in the fourth round of the tournament to meet Monfils in the final eight.
The French sensation, Monfils, is the only local hope left in the French Open and his amazing run so far in the tournament has put him under the spot light. Monfils registered his surprise victory over the world number seven, David
Ferrer of Spain, 6-4, 2-6, 7-5, 1-6, 8-6, in the fourth round to book a date with the third seed Federer in the quarter-finals.
The Swiss maestro is the only competitor who hasn’t lost a single set to reach the quarter-final draws of the tournament and is recognised to be the hot favourite to win Roland Garros this time round. The former world number one
has been struggling to get his vintage form back after a series of defeats from the world number one Rafael Nadal and the second ranked Novak Djokovic during the running ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) season. It is the perfect chance for Federer
to drive away all the criticism he has been facing during the past few months and clinch the 17th Grand Slam title of his illustrious career.
Although Monfils has kept the French hopes alive in the mega event so far, it will require something extraordinary from him to take down the Swiss opponent in Tuesday’s matchup. He had a tough time against the seventh seed Ferrer
in his last matchup, which he eventually won, but he recognizes the difference of class between Ferrer and the Swiss Maestro.
The two men have already faced at the French Open twice, in 2008 and then in 2009 as well, with Federer winning both encounters to lead the all-time head-to-head record against the Frenchman by 5-1. However, Monfils was victorious
against the Swiss in their last meeting, which took place at the BNP Paribas Masters in Paris last year. This certainly will boost up the confidence of the French and he will hope to replicate the similar feat this time round as well.
Although Federer has bagged only one ATP championship title this year, he is always the deadliest competitor on any kind of surface and it won’t be easy for Monfils to defeat him in the quarter-final. The Swiss is the hot favourite
for winning the contest on Tuesday but Monfils will not let it go that easy and will put up a decent fight before submitting.
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