By Erik Gudris | Saturday, July 22, 2016
France’s Gael Monfils delighted the night crowd gathered at the Citi Open in Washington, D.C. with yet another display of power and jaw-dropping shotmaking. He used both to book his spot in Saturday’s men’s semifinals at the ATP 500 event.
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While the French veteran realizes his shots look flashy to spectators, especially when he leaps in the air, for him it’s about making the right shot at the right moment.
“It’s the moment,” the second seeded Monfils said after his win. “No matter what people think it’s tougher to do jumping or whatever. I do it to be honest because it’s the right play for me. It’s easier for me to do a jump than stay on the ground. Naturally I feel easier in the air, feel better balance. Looks flashy but for me it’s easier to do that than to do something that looks simple.”
Monfils took on the No. 8 seed Sam Querrey in their quarterfinal. The first set went in favor of Monfils after he secured a late service break. Monfils soon served out the set 6-4.
Fans were treated to some French flair from Monfils after he chased down a drop shot early in the second set. He then faked a smash before just tipping the ball over the net for a winner.
Monfils ended up being broken later in the second set. That led to Querrey taking control and claiming the set 6-3.
Monfils resumed control though as he ran away with the final set in a hurry. He soon wrapped up the 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 victory.
That win put Monfils back in the semifinals at the event for a third time as he seeks to reach the final again. Monfils is hoping to finally win the title and add his name to the event’s stellar roll call of past winners.
“I have so many finals. I need more titles. Definitely here will be different one because I’ve always said I want to have my name next to Arthur (Ashe)and Yannick (Noah) Those guys mean a lot for more me, so if I can have name next to them, it would mean a lot.”
Waiting for Monfils in the semifinals is 19-year-old Alexander Zverev of Germany.
Zverev faced off against another Frenchman in Benoit Paire. The match was a one-sided contest early after Paire earned a code violation for ball abuse. As Paire’s level dropped, Zverev took advantage to take the first set 6-1.
The German teenager held off a brief charge by Paire in the second set before wrapping up the 6-1, 6-3 win to reach his fifth semifinal of the year.
Having already played Monfils earlier this year in Rotterdam, Zverev is looking forward to tomorrow night’s match.
“I love that matchup! Going to be a night match. Entertaining crowd. Crowd here is amazing. They stay up very late. Hopefully it will be a great match from both of us.”