Monfils Upsets Nadal In Doha
By: James Waterson
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Photo Credit: Karim Jafaar/AFP/Getty Images
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(January 6, 2012) World No. 16 Gael Monfils broke a five-match losing streak to Rafael Nadal when he defeated the Spaniard 6-3, 6-4 in the semifinal of the Qatar Open in Doha Friday.
Monfils, who hadn’t won a set in his last three matches against Nadal, drew first blood when he broke in the sixth game of the first set. That was the only advantage he needed to close out the first set, as his service performance prevented Nadal from having a break point opportunity.
The Spaniard responded well at the start of the second set, as he broke Monfils early and claimed a 4-1 lead. But despite having an almost 80 percent first-serve percentage, Nadal won only 54 percent of his service points in the set.
After some stellar play, Monfils ran off the next five games to beat Nadal for the second time in nine matches. The only other time he beat the Spaniard was at the 2009 Qatar Open.
The key to the Frenchman’s success may have been his serving, as he had a 76 percent first-serve percentage and he won 65 percent of his service points.
"Against Rafa, you have to have a good (first serve) percentage," Monfils said after the match. "I was very fast on court and I think I hit a couple of powerful shots. I feel great."
The win set up an all-French final against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who advanced after Roger Federer withdrew from the tournament because of a back injury. Tsonga has a 2-1 record against his countryman, but Monfils won their last match (in 2010) in three sets.
"It's always tough to play against Jo because he's really powerful," said Monfils. "It's tough to manipulate him from the baseline."