France’s Monfils Delivers Huge Performance to Even Up Davis Cup

With France’s back against the wall already down 1-0, Gael Monfils delivered a fantastic performance against the world’s second ranked player on Friday, as Monfils routed Switzerland’s Roger Federer 6-1, 6-4, 6-3 in the second singles match of the Davis Cup Final to even the final at 1-1.

The battle between Monfils and Federer marked the first time the two have played since the epic two-set comeback Federer had versus the Frenchman in the U.S. Open quarterfinals in September. This time, though, Monfils was not going to relinquish his lead and took advantage of an ailing Federer.

The 19th ranked player in the world blitzed Federer with his serve from the beginning. He won 17 of 17 first service points in the opening frame, and had a double break advantage after breaking in the fourth and sixth games, capturing the first set in 30 minutes.

Federer was unable to practice much of the week leading up to his match Friday and the rust was evident. He was broken in the third game of the second set to hand Monfils the break advantage.  That break was all Monfils needed as he went on to serve out the set and take the two set lead.

Any thoughts of another two-set comeback from Federer were put to rest midway through the third. After an exchange of holds put Monfils up 3-2, the Frenchman notched yet another break point to take the commanding 4-2 lead. With Federer no match for Monfils serves, he was able to serve out the set and wrap up the straight-set win in one hour and 46 minutes.

Monfils was extremely efficient, surrendering just two break opportunities to which Federer was unable convert either. In addition, he hit 42 winners including 10 aces.

Federer had 29 unforced errors which illustrated the lack of form he showed throughout the match. It is the first time he has lost a singles match in the Davis Cup since American John Isner beat him back in February 2012.

The Davis Cup Final is now even at 1-1 as Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka knocked off France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga earlier in the day.

With the two sides splitting victories on Friday, Saturday’s doubles match between France’s Julien Benneteau & Richard Gasquet and Switzerland’s Marco Chiudinelli & Michael Lammer becomes that much more important.