Andy Murray survived yet another five set thriller to reach his 2nd French Open semi-final. The reigning Wimbledon champion went up against home favourite Gael Monfils, who had reached an unlikely grand slam quarter-final. The Frenchman has been dogged by injuries aplenty over the past few years, so was really glad to have made the last eight at his home major. Murray though was simply outstanding in the fifth set, blitzing Monfils who earlier had battled back from two sets to love down. In the other men’s QF, Rafael Nadal dropped the first against compatriot David Ferrer, before crusing through the next 3 sets for the loss of just 5 games. In the women’s QF’s, Simona Halep and Andrea Petkovic comfortably emerged victorious over 2009 champ Svetlana Kuznetsova and 2012 finalist Sara Errani and reach their maiden GS semi-finals.
Roland Garros 2014: Day 11 Wednesday, Men’s QF’s
Murray vs Monfils
8 years ago in the first round of Roland Garros, an 18 year old Andy Murray met fellow youngster Gael Monfils in a five setter. On that occasion Monfils won.
But fast-forward 8 years later, and a lot has changed with both their careers going in the opposite directions.
Murray much more experienced and knowledgeable on clay than in 2006, simply cut Monfils down to size in the first two sets.
After exchanging a couple of breaks between each other in the first set, it was Murray who wrestled control of the opener, edging Gael 6-4.
He quickly then romped to a 5-1 lead in the 2nd, before closing it out 6-1.
Then suddenly Monfils buoyed on by the home crowd support, kicked into gear and finally started to play his unique brand of tennis.
Murray looking rattled and confused, completely collapsed in both the 3rd and 4th sets.
The Gael force eventually going on to win the next 2 sets 6-4, 6-1 and force an unlikely 5th set.
But then something really weird happened, Monfils reverted back to his self in the first and 2nd sets, completely baffling the crowd.
Murray hardly one to complain, just went about his business and ruthlessly dispatched the bemused Frenchman in quick style.
With the light fading and local time getting on to nearly 10pm, Murray romped through the final few games to bagel his opponent and dash Monfil’s hopes of a 2nd RG SF.
Nadal vs Ferrer
Being one of the 3 men this season to have beaten the mighty clay court king on his favourite surface, would lead people to think David Ferrer had a slight chance of a big upset.
But here at Nadal’s domain, it’s a lot harder to depose him than in Monte-Carlo.
Nevertheless, it certainly looked like Ferrer would inflict only the 2nd loss in 66 matches on Nadal after a set and a half.
David was on fire during the first set, retrieving everything back from Rafa’s arsenal of shots.
Nadal making far too many unforced errors especially on his backhand, just wasn’t on his game during some punishing rallies.
The world No.1 eventually going to concede the first set, after Ferrer broke him to take the set with a forehand winner down the line.
then in the 2nd set, it was like losing that first set was what Rafa needed to kick-start him into his full gear.
Kick-start he certainly did, as he broke early on in the 2nd set for a 2-1 lead.
That was all the opportunity Nadal needed to level the match. The Majorcan would just hang on to claim it 6-4.
After levelling at a set apiece, there really wasn’t much to say for the match.
To cut a story short, Nadal just blew away Ferrer who after the match admitted he threw in the towel after the 2nd set.
Nadal eventually strolling to the win, with a bagel 3rd set and easy 6-1 in the 4th.
In Friday’s SF, it will be a repeat of the 2011 last 4 encounter between Murray and Nadal. Nadal obviously won that one, but their last match in Rome 2 weeks ago was very close, with Andy nearly winning that one in 3 sets.
French Open: MS Day 11 , QF results
1-Rafael Nadal (Spain) bt 5-David Ferrer (Spain): 4-6, 6-4, 6-0, 6-1
7-Andy Murray (Great Britain) bt 23-Gael Monfils (France): 6–1, 6–4, 4–6, 1–6, 6–0
Roland Garros 2014: Day 11 Wednesday, Women’s QF’s
Petkovic vs Errani & Halep vs Kuznetsova
For 2 players who had never reached a Grand Slam SF in their careers, Simona Halep and Andréa Petkovic were definitely not nervous.
Both of them came out guns blazing in their QF matches’ against Svetlana Kuznetsova and Sara Errani respectively.
Petkovic especially was expected to face a lot more resistance in her match with pocket-rocket Errani. The Italian who reached the final 2 years ago, was seen as the favourite to triumph over the German.
But her weak first and second serve ultimately proved to be her downfall, as Petkovic was all over it like a rash.
Try and try all she could, Errani just couldn’t breakdown Andrea’s game. Petkovic who reached 3 GS quarter-finals back in 2011 (including the French) was devastating on her own serve, winning over 90% of pints on her first serve in the first set.
She would go onto a record a resounding 6-2, 6-2 victory and in the process niot onkly reach her first SF in a Grand Slam, but become the first German woman to do so at Roland Garros since the great Steffi Graf in 1999. (Graf would go on to win the title over Martina Hingis in the final).
It was also a quick an easy win for Romani’s No.1 female player, Simona Halep. Halep who is at a career high ranking of 3 (highest of any Romanian woman ever), just breezed her way past an injured Svetlana Kuznetsova.
Her agility around the court and beautiful poise and fleet-footing movement, was far too much for Kuznetsova.
Kuznetsova had done so well just to get to the quarters again, after a marathon 3rd rd victory over Petra Kvitova.
But Halep’s all-round game was too much for the 2009 champion, with the darling of Romania easing to the win 6-2, 6-2
With both Halep and Petkovic into their maiden Major SF’s, a new Grand Slam Finalist is guaranteed from the bottom half of the draw.
French Open: WS Day 11 , QF results
4-Simona Halep (Romania) bt 27-Svetlana Kuznetsova (Russia): 6-2, 6-2
28-Andrea Petkovic (Germany) bt 10-Sara Errani (Italy): 6-2, 6-2
All Things Tennis- from Hamza Shakeel 