After a very turbulent year, Gael Monfils is trying to climb up in the ATP rankings. Now world no.56, he is quite far from his highest rank (world no.7), but he is capable of getting closer to it.
The problem with the Frenchman is the consistency. For example he had a very nice run in May when he won a Challenger in Bordeaux and he reached the final in in Nice in great style to then lose to Montanez with a bagel (6-0) attached on it.
He had also a very strange French Open to upset Berdych in an epic opener that he won in 5 sets, then he defeated a in-form Gulbis to then lose in 5 sets with Robredo.
After that he played in Halle where he lost in 3 sets to Tommy Haas by displaying one of the most quirky (some says “stupid”) smashes in tennis history in a crucial moment of the game (he lost that point).
Then Gael decided not to participate to Wimbledon for personal (and very mysterious) reasons to come back and now reach the semis in Umag.
Gael defeated Montanes in Umag quarters in a tough 3 setter in 2 hours and 16 minutes breaking Montanes 7 times and dropping the service 5. Match Statistics.
The semis vs. Fognini.
Gael will play Fognini in the semis. Head to head is 3-1 for Gael (counting he junior competitions). Fabio seems to have an edge in this final, unless he is not too tired.