Roger Federer dismisses Gael Monfils to reach the semi-finals – French Open 2011
World number 3, Swiss legend Roger Federer reached his 29th grand slam semi-final as he defeated world number 9 Gael Monfils of France in straight sets 6-4, 6-3 7-6(3) in the quarterfinal of French Open at Roland Garros
in Paris on Tuesday. Federer took two hours and 34 minutes to beat his opponent.
Monfils drew first blood as he broke Federer in the third game of the opening set and held his next service game to go ahead 3-1. However, the Swiss bagged two successive games, breaking his opponent in the sixth game and levelling
the score at 3-3. Federer broke Monfils again in the tenth game to seal the set 6-4.
The Swiss Maestro delivered a single ace and 54 percent of the first serves, grabbing 69 percent of the points on them in the first set. Federer was brilliant with the return of serve as he won 47 percent of the receiving points
in the opening set.
The 29-year-old came roaring in the second set and broke the French in the second game, racing to a 3-0 lead. Monfils broke back in the fifth game to reduce Federer’s lead to 2-3, only to be broken again in the next game and trail
2-4. The Swiss consolidated on the break of serve, capturing the set 6-3.
The right-handed hit seven winners and made eleven unforced errors in the second set. Federer failed to save the only break point he faced but succeeded in converting two of the three break points on Monfil’s serve in the second
set.
In the third set, Federer took an early lead as he broke his opponent in the opening game and consolidated on it to take a 2-0 lead. However, Monfils was quick to respond as he broke back in the fourth game to equalise the score
at 2-2. Federer and Monfils held their serve in the next eight games to square off the score at 6-6 and forced a tie-break. The Swiss thrashed Monfils in the tie-break, claiming it 7-3.
A jubilant Federer said, after the match, "It’s always nice to be in the semi-finals of a Grand Slam. I hoped to play well here. It was a tricky draw and I’m happy that I made my way through to the semis. I’ve never diverted from
my plan of focusing on myself and I’m very happy with the way I’m playing.”
The Swiss added, "For me the plan is to try and take a step further and reach the final of the French Open. I know [Djokovic] has a lot on the line. I’m looking forward to that match. I think we usually play pretty well against
each other."
Federer is looking for a second French Open title. The sixteen time grand slam champion defeated Robin Soderling of Sweden in the final to win his only Roland Garros title in 2009.
The Swiss Maestro will take on unstoppable Serbian Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals. The world number 2 is on a 43 match winning streak and has defeated Federer in their last three matches.
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