By Chris Oddo | June 1, 2015

 

Roger Federer sailed past Gael Monfils in part two of their round of 16 clash on Day 9.

Photo Source: Francois Mori/AP

Gael Monfils, tennis’s magic man, could only muster a disappearing act on day two of his clash with Roger Federer in Paris.

After battling Federer to a split on Sunday in chilly Paris, Monfils came out flatter than a warm glass of Coca-Cola on Monday and never regained his trademark fizz. Eventually, after a tight third set, Federer rolled to the 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 victory without breaking much of a sweat.

There was a moment, when Monfils had a break point to get back on serve in the third set at 3-5, where the match seemed to hang in the balance. But after Federer hammered two pinpoint serves consecutively, and then tucked a curling forehand winner inside the line for the hold, the Frenchman would not challenge again.

It was a crisp, unflappable performance from Federer, who seemed to sense the urgency of the opening moments of play and struck the ball decisively from the onset. Meanwhile, the Frenchman seemed to be biding his time, waiting to be elevated by a boost from the Parisian crowd that never came. 

In the fourth set Monfils was broken in the first game again before completely unravelling in a head-scratching fifth game that gave Federer the double-break. In between there was a visit with the trainer for Monfils—he seemed to be struggling with allergies and took a few eyedrops.

Whatever cure he sought, it did not come.

Monfils saved a match point in his next service game with a daring half-volley drop shot, but he double-faulted to give Federer a second match point and sailed a forehand to send Federer into his 44th Grand Slam quarterfinal.

Federer punched 23 winners against 14 unforced errors during today’s two sets. In the fourth set, he won 29 points against 13 for Monfils. Federer’s victory sets up an all-Swiss quarterfinal with Stan Wawrinka.