| By Erik Gudris |
Photo Credit: Sebastien Nogier/AFP/Getty Image |
(April 20th, 2012) At least the nation of France knew it would have a Frenchman reach the semis of the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters for the first time since 2005 when a young Richard Gasquet did it, but who exactly would be the flagbearer of the Tricolore on Saturday was a bit of a toss-up as today's final quarterfinal got underway.
Even though No. 4 seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga had only lost once to fellow Davis Cup teammate No. 9 seed Gilles Simon in their five previous meetings, that sole loss to Simon on clay back in 2008 in Rome, seemed to suggest that Simon had a chance for the upset on Tsonga's least favorite surface. Simon, who upset Janko Tipsarevic in the previous round, didn't feel well heading into match, but that didn't stop him from opening up a double break lead on Tsonga in the first set.
But it would be a series of momentum shifts that established the tone for the afternoon as Simon allowed Tsonga back into the set before breaking Tsonga one more time to eventually serve it out 7-5.
Tsonga jumped out a to 4-1 lead in the second set. But as the sunlight began to gradually fade from the fame Court Centrale so did Tsonga's chances on forcing a deciding set as Simon rallied to win the last five games to earn a 7-5, 6-4 victory in just over 90 minutes.
"There were many breaks in the match, or I should say break opportunities," Simon said afterwards. "When I was able to find my own rhythm, and when the sun had gone, then I started feeling a lot better and I was able to move well, hit the ball well. Before that, it was two games yes, two games not."
Simon will next face seven-time defending champion Rafael Nadal in tomorrow's semifinals. Simon has only beaten Nadal once back in 2008 in the semis of Madrid.
"Of course, it's going to be a very tough match," Simon said on the prospects of facing Nadal. "I want to take advantage as much as I can of this match. I beat him once, and it was an accomplishment already. So it would be an accomplishment any time I'd do it, but even more here on clay. Even if I lose, I want to play that match the best I can."