Gael Monfils set up a showdown with Roger Federer after a straight sets triumph over an unhappy Andy Roddick.
Frenchman seals straight sets win and now faces Federer
Home favourite Gael Monfils set up a quarter-final showdown with Roger Federer after a straight sets triumph over an unhappy Andy Roddick on Monday.
It is the second straight year that Monfils has reached the last eight at Roland Garros and he did so in style with a comprehensive 6-4 6-2 6-3 victory.
However, his opponent cut an angry and frustrated figure for much of the contest, Roddick having a running battle with umpire Eric Molina over the state of the light in Paris.
The American was convinced the match should have been suspended in the second set and his best run at the French Open ultimately ended in disappointingly limp fashion as he surrendered in under two hours.
A tight contest looked in prospect after a close first set that Monfils eventually edged with just a single break of serve.
Agitated
But having fallen behind, the American appeared to lose focus as he became increasingly agitated with the conditions.
Monfils broke in the third and fifth games of the second to take a stranglehold and closed out the set when Roddick squandered three break points in the eighth game.
The Frenchman, who served 17 aces to his rival's four, then broke to lead 1-0 in the third set before Roddick responded with his only break of serve of the contest in the fourth game.
But it was a temporary reprieve as Monfils immediately returned the compliment to edge ahead again at 3-2 leading Roddick to slam down his racquet after another angry exchange with the umpire at the changeover.
From that point the American seemed to accept his fate and he eventually bowed out after netting a volley, leading a delighted Monfils to celebrate with his home crowd.
The 11th seed stated afterwards: "It is fantastic, it's a great moment. With such a crowd behind me, I hope to shine even more."
