Roger Federer takes on Frenchman Gael Monfils in the third round of the ATP 1000 Monte Carlo Open. The Tennis Review previews the action and predicts the winner.
Roger Federer may lead Gael Monfils 8-3 in their head to head, but he is tied 3-3 with him in their last six meetings, including a straight sets defeat to the Frenchman on clay in Lyon in last year’s Davis Cup Final.
Going into their third round match, both men are in good form. Federer was dominant in his straight sets defeat of Jeremy Chardy in the second round, dropping just three games, but the world no. 35 failed to push him.
Monfils, meanwhile, came through a tough match with Alexandr Dolgopolov, and was feeling good in the process. At one stage, Monfils hit a drop shot, then pretended to have given up on the point, faking out Dolgopolov then running down a cross-court forehand which he sent back for a winner.
Watch Gael Monfils at his cheeky best in the video below.
A confident Monfils at home will be quite the handful for Federer. The Frenchman has been a struggle for him on all surfaces, his athleticism, shot-making and supreme defensive skills negating his attacking style of play.
But the Swiss leads Monfils 4-1 on the Clay and has only dropped one set in his 4 wins.
Federer was also exhausted in their Davis Cup match, and with Monfils being a difficult match up for him- the Frenchman led him two sets to love in their U.S Open quarter-final match before losing in five- that defeat was not that unexpected.
Federer is certainly not tired right now. The Swiss has not played since Indian Wells, has been holidaying in the Alps, and has talked of taking more time to rest this season. He also wasted no time in his dismissal of Chardy.
Federer also wants to win the Monte Carlo for the first time after four runner up finishes, his last one coming last year when he lost to Wawrinka in three sets. It is hard to see Monfils, despite all his tricks and shot-making, being the man to stop him.
Prediction: Federer to win in three sets.
Commentary by Christian Deverille @thetennisreview
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