ROGER FEDERER COMES FROM WAY BACK TO DEFEAT MONFILS IN 5 SETS TO REACH US OPEN SEMI-FINALS

Written by: Staff on 5th September 2014

ROGER FEDERER COMES FROM WAY BACK TO DEFEAT MONFILS IN 5 SETS TO REACH US OPEN SEMI-FINALS

epa04385233 Roger Federer of Switzerland reacts after defeating Gael Monfils of France during their quarterfinals round match on the eleventh day of the 2014 US Open Tennis Championship at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 04 September 2014. The US Open runs through 08 September, a 15-day schedule. EPA/DANIEL MURPHY |

The drawing power of tennis is always put to the test when the US Open clashes with the start of NFL Football season but the battle between Roger Federer and Gael Monfils managed to put the events on the opposite coast of the United States in the shade as the Super Bowl winning Seattle Seahawks overcame the Green Bay Packers.

Federer has his sights set on an 18th Grand Slam event title and a sixth US Open triumph come next Monday and he kept his mission on course as he was forced to save two match points to beat Gael Monfils in another late night thriller on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Roger Federer of Switzerland hits a return to Gael Monfils of France during their quarterfinals round match on the eleventh day of the 2014 US Open Tennis Championship at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 04 September 2014. The US Open runs through 08 September, a 15-day schedule. EPA/JUSTIN LANE

The 33 year-old Swiss had to claw his way back from two sets deficit to beat the Frenchman 4-6, 3-6, 6-4, 7-5, 6-2 and set up a semi-final against Croatias Marin Cilic, an earlier four sets victor over Tomas Berdych.

Federer is obviously a man who knows what is necessary to win a major tournament but his resolve was put to the ultimate test by 20th seeded Monfils. Reflecting back on trailing the Frenchman by two sets , Federer said: “I still thought the finish line was far for Gael.

“I knew I could play better tennis. When I was down two match points, that’s when I wasn’t feeling too good any more. I thought ‘this is it, don’t let him have an easy shot and go down fighting.’ But I served well and managed to turn it around.”

This was the ninth time Federer has won a match after dropping the opening two sets but it was unquestionably one of the Swiss champions most dramatic comebacks. Monfils was trying to reach his second career Grand Slam semifinal. Instead, Federer advanced to his 36th, the ninth at Flushing Meadows.

Gael Monfils of France hits a return to Roger Federer of Switzerland during their quarterfinals round match on the eleventh day of the 2014 US Open Tennis Championship at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 04 September 2014. The US Open runs through 08 September, a 15-day schedule. EPA/JUSTIN LANE

As the clock on the US Opens main court was about to turn to 11 p.m., Monfils held two match points at 5-4 in the fourth set, with Federer serving. However he hit a potential backhand passing shot long on the first before, on the second, Federer managed to conjure up a characteristic forehand winner.

It was one of those moments where you got the back against the wall and you hope to get a bit lucky, said Federer. You hope to play exactly the right shots that you need or that he completely just messes it up. Either way works as long as you get out of it. But clearly it’s not a great feeling, because you feel it’s not in your control anymore really. So I’m very, very happy to have found a way tonight.

However Federer was insistent: I think my game got better as the match went on. I was able to play throughout at a high level physically and mentally. I’m not ever going to go away mentally, but physically I was right there.

Topics: Arthur Ashe Stadium, Gael Monfils, Marin Cilic, Roger Federer, Tennis, Tomas Berdych, US Open semi-finals