Djokovic Upends Monfils to Advance to Semis at World Tennis Championship
December 29, 2011 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Photo credit: Kenneth B. Goldberg
Serbian Novak Djokovic scored a 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 win over the 16th-ranked Frenchman Gael Monfils at the World Tennis Championship, a $250,000 winner-takes-all exhibition event in Abu Dhabi. The world number one-ranked Djokovic enters 2012 after a dominant 2011 that saw the Serbian win 70 matches with only six losses, and in the process, capture three Grand Slams in 2011.
Djokovic advances in Abu Dhabi to face Switzerland’s Roger Federer in the semifinals while Spain’s Rafael Nadal faces fellow countryman David Ferrer in the other semifinals match. Ferrer advanced to the semis with a 2-6, 7-6 (5), 6-2 win over Frenchman Jo Wilfried-Tsonga.
"It is always a challenge to play Federer, whether it is a tournament or exhibition," said Djokovic. "He will always make you play well."
