Monfils qualified for the quarterfinals of the Australian Open – The World

Gael Monfils, seeded 23, has qualified for the quarterfinals by defeating Russian Andrey Kuznetsov, seventy-fourth player in the world, in four sets: 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/4).

PAUL CROCK / AFP

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Gael Monfils qualified for the first time in his career for the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, beating Russian Andrey Kuznetsov, 74 ^th global player in four sets 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/4), Monday, January 25 in Melbourne.

The last French in contention, seeded n ^o 25, will face Canadian Milos Raonic (n ^o 13), who won against Stan Wawrinka (n ^o 4) in five sets: 6-4, 6-3, 5-7, 4-6, 6-3. The Canadian is one of the men of the moment. He just won the Brisbane tournament by beating Roger Federer in the final. The best performance in Melbourne Gael Monfils was a knockout in 2009.

Monfils, 29, won in two hours and thirty-seven minutes thanks to a great performance and service defense. “I’ll have to make him play the shot too” , the Parisian planned before the game. This is exactly what happened.

Ovation and injury

The French brought a lot of balls and made many mistakes to his opponent ( fifty-four). He even attempted a dive, which triggered an ovation from the Margaret Court Arena. also an opportunity for him to get hurt. Monfils has fallen ill, snowshoeing and his right hand hit the ground simultaneously. “I have a pretty deep gash. [The doctors] have even hesitated to put stitches. I have a nice bruise and my finger has inflated “, has he said. It however suffers no fracture.

Monfils was very strong in the service. He managed fourteen aces and scored many points from the second shot after a good racket ball first. Kuznetsov had only two break opportunities in the match, he realized. “These free points helped me. This was necessary because he tapped the ball very well, “, commented the winner.

The French benefited from a favorable picture for the moment and has fought as much players ranked lower than him Japanese Yuichi Sugita (124 ^th World) in the first round, then two compatriots Nicolas Mahut (63 ^th ) and Stephane Robert (225 ^th ) before Kuznetsov (74 ^th ).

It will now pass a feat to go further, either against Wawrinka, who won in 2014 Melbourne and last Roland Garros, or Raonic, who beat Roger Federer comes in the final in Brisbane. He would equal his best finish in a major tournament, a semifinal at Roland Garros in 2008.