Gael Monfils outlasted Andy Roddick in a thrilling quarter-final at the Japan Open, edging a dramatic final-set tie-break to progress.
Easy passage into final four for Nadal in Toyko
Gael Monfils outlasted Andy Roddick in a thrilling quarter-final at the Japan Open, edging a dramatic final-set tie-break to progress.
Second seed Roddick saved three match points before finally succumbing to a 7-6 (7-5) 4-6 7-6 (8-6) defeat in Tokyo.
It was Monfils who edged a hard-fought first set breaker, the Frenchman mixing his play up with a series of lobs, drop-shots and forays to net as he gained the upper hand.
Roddick hit back in the second, the American securing a crucial break to move 5-4 ahead with a thumping overhead smash.
He then served out to level the match, a forehand winner clinching the game.
A tight third set looked to have taken a decisive turn as Monfils earned himself three chances to close out the match having raced 0-40 on the Roddick serve at 4-5.
But the American produced three big serves to survive and then went on to force a second tie-break of the contest.
It proved just a close as the first but Monfils produced a moment of brilliance to clinch it, chasing down a Roddick lob and then threading a brilliant forehand pass down the line to seal victory in just under three hours.
"I tried to control the points," the delighted Frenchman stated afterwards. "I tried to be aggressive, tried to push him, come to the net a bit more."
Monfils now faces Radek Stepanek in the final four, the Czech player advancing after opponent Jarkko Nieminen pulled out of their quarter-final clash to hand him a walkover win.
"When you're in the semi-finals you always want to be in the final and then win the tournament - so let's see tomorrow," added Monfils.
Easy for Nadal
Meanwhile, world number one Rafael Nadal booked his place in the semi-finals with a comfortable straight sets victory over Russian Dmitry Tursunov, the Spaniard cruising to a 6-4 6-1 success.
Nadal, who needed only 72 minutes to wrap up his win, revealed afterwards that he had an added incentive to get the job done quickly - he plans to go and watch the international football friendly between Japan and Argentina later on Friday.
"I want to see Japan and Argentina after I have some dinner and rest," Nadal explained.
"I have some friends on the Argentina team. It will be an honour to see them and watch two good teams play.
"I still have lots of work to win this tournament but it would be very positive for me and a big boost for the rest of the season."
Next up for Nadal will be Serbian Viktor Troicki who overcame Spain's Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 6-2 3-6 6-4 in his quarter-final.
