France ready to take on Federer with enigmatic prodigy
Published:It’s not often a player enters a match with Roger Federer hoping to register consecutive wins, but Gael Monfils is preparing to do just that at Roland Garros today.
Monfils and Federer have met six times and while Federer has a dominant five wins to Monfils’ one, the French star emerged triumphant on the last occasion the two faced-off in Paris last November.
Federer may be the 1/8 favourite but the former world number one is taking on Monfils and a 15,000 capacity crowd on the Court Philippe Chatrier today.
There hasn’t been a French winner of the French Open since 1946, but after Monfils’ five-set victory over David Ferrer the French crowd are confident their enigmatic star is finally starting to produce the consistency needed to win a major.
Monfils is 9/2 to win today and there are reasons for the French crowd to be optimistic, however it will be a battle for the world number 9 and should he upset the French Open odds, it is likely to be in five sets and he is 12/1 to win 3-2.
His victory over Federer last November came courtesy of two tie-breaks – Federer won his set thanks to a tie-break – and Monfils certainly looks plenty of value at 1/1 to win +6.5 games.
Federer has been overshadowed by the form of Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal this season but the 16-time Grand Slam winner is yet to drop a set in this tournament and looks in imperious form.
Considering Monfils history of underperforming in big matches, Federer looks the most likely to set-up a semi-final with Djokovic and the Serb will be waiting following Fabio Fognini’s withdrawal.
Djokovic has received a walkover into the semi-final and thanks to the Italian’s withdrawal the world number two has seen his position as French Open favourite strengthened.
