Frenchman Gael Monfils Reaches Paris Quarterfinals

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Frenchman Gael Monfils Reaches Paris Quarterfinals
By Anton Lagani, Lawn Tennis Analyst, Posted: Thursday, November 11, 2010 9:10pm PST USA

PARIS--Thursday at the BNP Paribas Masters at Paris, France, the Frenchman and 14th ranked Gael Monfils upset the 6th seeded Fernando Verdasco 6-7(6-8), 7-6(7-2), 7-5 to reach Friday’s quarterfinals.

But for his reward in the quarterfinals, the lanky 6 feet 4 inches tall Monfils is set to meet the 3rd seeded Andy Murray of Britain as the featured evening match not before 8:30pm local time.

Gael Monfils of France | Image: Getty Images

Andy Murray won the pair’s last contest earlier this year at Toronto in the round of sixteen 6-2, 0-6, 6-3.

The 24 year old Monfils head to head trails the 23 year old Murray 1-3. Murray won the pair’s last contest earlier this year at Toronto in the round of sixteen 6-2, 0-6, 6-3.

Should the local favorite Monfils advance past Murray, he could meet an even tougher opponent as he could take on the top seeded Roger Federer of Switzerland in the semifinals Saturday. Federer has won his last ten ATP Tour singles matches.

In 2004 as a teenager, Monfils finished the year as the world’s number one ranked junior player after winning the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon junior titles.

With his curious mix of powerful groundstrokes and serves combined with consistent spins, Monfils posted his best ever grand slam singles result at the 2008 French Open where he would finish as semifinalist.

The Frenchman took his lone ATP Tour singles title this year last month indoors at Monpellier, France.

Remaining in this week’s Paris draw to also represent the country of France is the unseeded Michael Llodra who Friday meets the Russian and 10th seeded Nikolay Davydenko.