Paris: Roger Federer swept into the French Open quarter-finals Monday as the tournament waited to see if Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic could tee-up a Paris blockbuster.
Second seed Federer, the 2009 champion, made the last eight for the 11th time with a 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 win over France’s Gael Monfils and goes on to face Davis Cup-winning teammate Stan Wawrinka.
Federer raced through the final two sets on Monday in just over an hour after the last-16 tie was delicately poised at a set apiece when it was suspended in the chilly gloom of Sunday evening.
“I feel fresh and pumped up to be back in the quarter-finals again after missing out last year,” said Federer, who was beaten by Ernests Gulbis in the last 16 in 2014.
Monfils, a semi-finalist in 2008, was nowhere near his swashbuckling best on Monday, slipping to a break down in the first game of both sets.
At 2-1 down in the fourth, he needed the trainer to be called although the Frenchman’s problems appeared more related to the cold from which he was suffering rather than any physical problem. He lost the last five games of the contest and although he saved a match point with a trademark cute drop volley, an equally characteristic wild forehand sealed his fate.
Monfils blamed a fever for his erratic performance.
“It was tough because I’m sick. On the eve of the match I was not at my best. I had a bad night and woke up repeatedly. I didn’t have any fever this morning, but my body was sluggish,” said the 28-year-old Frenchman.
Federer will take a 16-2 career advantage over Wawrinka into Tuesday’s quarter-final, including a win on clay in Rome earlier this month.
“It’s special to play Stan, there aren’t many Swiss players in the draw,” said Federer. “I’m quite positive about my chances.”
Ruthless Ferrer too good for Cilic, moves into
last eight
Meanwhile, Spaniard David Ferrer slipped almost unnoticed into the French Open quarter-finals with a dismissive 6-2 6-2 6-4 win over Croatia’s Marin Cilic on Monday.
The 33-year-old seventh seed was at his relentless best as he suffocated the more powerful Cilic, moving easily through to his sixth quarter-final at Roland Garros.
Next up for Ferrer, one of only two Spaniards to reach the last 16, the lowest number since 1996, is either third seed Murray or Frenchman Chardy. (Agencies)
