Points won by each set: | 32-19, 42-46, 33-27, 46-41 |
Points won directly behind the serve:
22 % Federer – 30 of 136
19 % Monfils – 29 of 150
There were high hopes that 22-year-old Monfils [59] would emulate the success of 23-year-old Yannick Noah, who triumphed at Roland Garros ’83. Monfils seemed to be in great shape having easily defeated Ferrer in the quarterfinal, but at the time, Federer was still the best player in the world constantly since 2004, having defeated Monfils easily in their three previous meetings. Perhaps it made an impact on Monfils’ nervousness in the initial phase, yet as he broke back at 1:2 in the 2nd set, he played a competitive match for more than two hours to the end. A decider was hanging in the air, but Monfils played poorly on break points he created in three consecutive Federer’s service games of the 4th set. The Swiss also blew break points in three different games (including double match point), but leading 6:5* he finally converted his chance with a volley winner, advancing to his third straight French Open final. Monfils will wait eight years for his another major semifinal (US Open).