Parisian loyalties were tested on Wednesday when the sentimental favourite Roger Federer, a three-time runner-up to Rafael Nadal, beat the local favourite Gaël Monfils - France's only hope of snapping a 26-year singles title drought at Roland Garros - in straight sets.
Second-seeded Swiss Federer moved one step closer to a first Roland Garros title that would complete his long-time ambition of securing a career Grand Slam, of the four major championships, after beating 11th seed Monfils 7-6(6), 6-2, 6-4 in two hours and 10 minutes.
Federer, who stands two wins away from drawing level with all-time Grand Slam title-leader Pete Sampras on 14 major trophies, booked his place in a 20th consecutive Grand Slam championship semi-final with his fifth straight victory over Monfils – whom Federer also beat in the 2008 semi-finals.
"I was very nervous before this match, yesterday and today," said Federer. "But I have a lot of experience. I know that when I step on the court, I will play well. Or very well."
Having tested the nerve of his heavily-pregnant wife, Mirka, and a legion of fans worldwide with hard-fought victories over Jose Acasuso, Paul-Henri Mathieu and Tommy Haas in previous rounds, Federer produced a service masterclass – winning 69 of 94 points, including eight aces – against Monfils to leave spectators on Philippe Chatrier Court unable to begrudge him an opportunity to create history.
Only Juan Martin del Potro, his opponent in the semi-finals, and potentially Robin Soderling or Fernando Gonzalez in Sunday’s final, stand in his way from lifting the Coupes des Mousquetaires and becoming the sixth man in tennis history to complete a career Grand Slam. None of the players left in the draw have beaten Federer on a clay court before.
France will have to wait another year for a player to emulate 1983 champion Yannick Noah.
The 22-year-old Monfils came closest to breaking the Federer serve, with two break point opportunities in the first and 10th games of the first set that was decided by a tie-break. Federer opened up a 5-3 lead in the tie-break, but lost three straight points and was forced to save a set point at 5-6 with a smash. His composure restored, the Swiss superstar clinched the 250th tie-break of his career (250-132) with a forehand winner.
"Maybe I took too many risks at the beginning," Federer explained, "but I was worried about his forehand."
Federer then moved into top gear in the second set, courtesy of service breaks in the first and third games, which he won in under 30 minutes.
Monfils required a doctor’s assistance for a stomach ailment in the early stages of the third set, but was able to save one break point in the second game. But the stay of execution for Monfils was short lived. He saved one break point in the ninth game with a backhand volley, but moments later Federer secured the decisive service break when Monfils hit a forehand into the net. Federer went on to close out his 31st win of the year (31-6 record) with a backhand winner.
In the absence of four-time champion Nadal, who lost to Soderling in the fourth round, Federer is the red-hot favourite to lift the Roland Garros title and the 59th title of his career.
Federer is just the fourth man to reach the Roland Garros semi-finals on five or more occasions. René Lacoste reached five semi-finals between 1925-1929, Henri Cochet matched the feat between 1926-1930 and Eric Sturgess advanced to a record six semi-finals between 1947-1952.
Monfils, the 2004 Roland Garros junior champion, dropped to 19-9 on the season. He has also reached the Acapulco final (l. to Almagro) and two semi-finals at Doha (l. to Roddick) and Rotterdam (l. to Nadal) on the ATP World Tour circuit.
"Today," Monfils said, "he didn’t miss a lot. He still has two tough matches if he wants to win, but I think he can do it. He should be very motivated to win, so, yeah, why not?"
(From Website : http://www.atpworldtour.com/TENNIS/1/EN/NEWS/NEWSARTICLE_3864.ASP)
