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29 March 2024

US Open Men's singles quarter-finals: Federer storms back to reach semis

French player Gael Monfils is playing against Roger Federer in the Roland Garros semi-final on Friday (GETTY IMAGES)

Published
By Correspondent

Roger Federer battled back from two sets down and double match point to defeat 20th seed Gael Monfils 4-6 3-6 6-4 7-5 6-2 to reach the semifinals of the U.S. Open on Thursday.

Federer, aiming to add to his grand slam men's record total of 17 singles crowns, survived a pair of match points when down 15-40 on serve in the 10th game of the fourth set.

Monfils, the 20th seed, struck a backhand long to squander his first chance to claim victory and then Federer denied the Frenchman with a sizzling forehand winner to stay in the match.

From that point on, Federer took charge by closing out the fourth set and breaking Monfils in the first game of the fifth.

He took nine of the last 11 games in the three-hour 20-minute quarter-final at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

It marked the ninth time in his career that Federer escaped from a two-set deficit to win, previously accomplishing the feat in the third round of Wimbledon in 2012 against Frenchman Julien Benneteau.

Federer will play 14th seed Marin Cilic, who blasted his way past sixth seed Tomas Berdych 6-2 6-4 7-6(4).

FIFTH SET: MONFILS 2 FEDERER 6

At the end Federer makes it look simple as he packs off Monfils to enter the semifinals. Monfils 2 Federer 6

Monfils holds his serve but he looks to have already given it up. Federer prepares to serve for the set and match. Monfils 2 Federer 5

Another simple one for Federer. There is absolutely no fight from Monfils. Monfils 1 Federer 4

BREAK!
 Nothing's going right for Monfils as Federer has a triple breakpoint advantage. He wins the first one to take the game and surge ahead. Monfils looks to be surrendering meekly. Monfils 1 Federer 4  

It's going all easy for Federer as he comfortably wraps the game to keep the lead. Monfils 1 Federer 3  

Monfils looks exhausted with no power in his serves. He has got 10 double faults against Federer's two. Still manages to hold on to his serve. Monfils 1 Federer 2  

Some spectacular tennis from Federer as he gains total control over the game. Monfils completely looks out of sorts. Monfils 0 Federer 2

BREAK!
A great start for Federer as he races to a triple breakpoint to start the fifth set. Monfils saves one before Federer gets the early break. Monfils 0 Federer 1

FOURTH SET: MONFILS 5 FEDERER 7


It's going down to the wire as Federer carries on his brilliance to seal the fourth set. Monfils 5 Federer 7

BREAK!
Federer is quick to leap to a 0-30 lead but Monfils adjusts his game well to take it to deuce. But erratic serves ensures Federer earns the break. Monfils 5 Federer 6

Monfils keeps it simple and allows Federer to commit the errors. He is successful in gaining two breakpoints before Federer steps up save the matchpoints and the game. Monfils 5 Federer 5

Monfils is having a tough time saving his serves with Federer keeping him busy. Forces the game to deuce before two good serves ensures Monfils battles on. Monfils 5 Federer 4

That's an easy one for Federer. He looks to be calm and composed forcing Monfils to commit the mistakes. Monfils 4 Federer 4

Federer has his moments but Monfils stays focussed including two aces as he retains his serve. Monfils 4 Federer 3

Amazing serves from Federer as he wins four straight points. Monfils 3 Federer 3

Monfils stays firm leading 30-0. A double fault slightly disturbs his concentration giving a breakpoint to Federer. But that does not matter as some powerful serves ensures Monfils keeps his serve. Monfils 3 Federer 2

BREAK!
Monfils does not let it slip as he takes a 0-30 lead before Federer gets some brilliant shots to take it to deuce. Monfils emerges the winner after a long battle to level scores. Monfils 2 Federer 2

BREAK!
Federer in stunning form as he earns a double breakpoint. Monfils looks tired but still bails himself out taking it deuce. But the Swiss determined to win it tastes success claiming the next two points. Monfils 1 Federer 2

Monfils had the advantage at 0-30 but Federer pulled it back before it ran into deuce. Monfils earned a breakpoint after a stunning forehand winner but the Swiss still pulls it through. Monfils 1 Federer 1

A fine start into the fourth set from Monfils winning his first game. It's going to be crucial for Monfils to stay on top especially with Federer looking dangerous at the moment. Monfils 1 Federer 0

THIRD SET: MONFILS 4 FEDERER 6

That's an easy one for Federer as he wins the third set. It's 2-1 in favour of Monfils. Monfils 4 Federer 6

Not much time wasted there as Monfils keeps his serve. He is still a break down as Federer serves for the third set. Monfils 4 Federer 5

Great serves from Federer as he does not waste much time in winning his game. Monfils 3 Federer 5

Powerful forehand shots from Monfils backed by brilliant serving. Easy game for him. Monfils 3 Federer 4

Federer's frequenting to the net and he's doing a great job as he holds serve. Monfils 2 Federer 4

BREAK!
A crucial double fault by Monfils gives Federer a breakpoint again. The Swiss comes into the net immediately and is successful. Monfils 2 Federer 3

BREAK!
Federer again seems to be losing track here committing a lot of errors. Monfils earns triple breakpoint before the Swiss erases two out of them. A brilliant cross court lands on the edge of the line as Monfils levels score. Monfils 2 Federer 2

Monfils serves well as he does not drop a point to hold on to his serve. Monfils 1 Federer 2

No time wasted there as Federer runs to a 2-0 advantage keeping his serve. Monfils 0 Federer 2.

BREAK! Federer sends out a strong signal making his intentions clear breaking Monfils early in the third set. That should give something for the Fedex fans to cheer. Monfils 0 Federer 1

SECOND SET: MONFILS 6 FEDERER 3

BREAK! Monfils quickly runs into a 0-30 advantage and then to 15-40 to earn a double breakpoint. Federer manages to wipe off one before an unforced error gives MOnfils the second set. Federer 3 Monfils 6.

Two unforced errors from Monfils helps Federer reach 30-all before the French has two big serves to hold on to his serve. Federer 3 Monfils 5.

Federer's ploy of coming closer to the net does not help as Monfils lobs it well to lead 0-15. But that does not cost him dear managing to keep his serve easily. Federer 3 Monfils 4.

Great serves followed by impressive forehand and backhand shots as Monfils does not drop a sweat to hold his serve. Federer 2 Monfils 4.

That's another quick game and Federer is slowly getting into the groove. Federer 2 Monfils 3.

Monfils is serving really well as he wins four straight points to win the game without much fuss. Federer 1 Monfils 3.

A good game for Federer as he wins it not losing a point. That should give him some confidence. Federer 1 Monfils 2.

An unusual scene at the Arthur Ashe stadium with Monfils keeping Federer in an uncomfortable zone for a long time. The Swiss finding it hard to get his shots going but still manages to take it to deuce and then earn a break point but no much success. Federer 0 Monfils 2.

BREAK!
Monfils dominates early on in the second set forcing a break. After taking the game to deuce, Federer struggles with his shots including a double fault as he hands over the game to the Frenchman. Federer 0 Monfils 1.

FIRST SET: MONFILS 6 FEDERER 4

Federer has been erring a lot and Monfils is playing on to that advantage. Two backhand shots gone wrong from the Swiss and Monfils takes two set points before Federer manages to wipe out only one. Monfils 6 Federer 4

No time wasted as Federer has an easy game out there except an erratic backhand shot that went way out. Monfils 5 Federer 4

Federer is keen to get his break back as he earns a 0-30 advantage before Monfils sorts himself out to to take the next five points to hold on. Monfils 5 Federer 3.

PREVIEW

Roger Federer is looking in great form and should not be too worried when he takes on Gael Monfils in the quarterfinals.

Federer has a great record against Monfils with a 7-2 head-to-head record. But considering Monfils has not dropped a set so far in the tournament should keep the Swiss on his toes.
 
En route to the quarterfinal, Monfils has beaten higher ranked players including Grigor Dimitrov and Richard Gasquet.
 
Nevertheless, it promises to be an interesting battle.