Gael Monfils has joined Richard Gasquet as the sole survivors from the raft of seven Frenchmen who began the Brisbane International.
Monfils is partly to blame for the diminishing stocks after defeating Florent Serra in three sets today at the Queensland Tennis Centre, 6-7(5) 7-6(5) 6-1.
The first two sets were tight as both players traded blows before Monfils blew the match wide open in the third.
“I think I win the match because I keep fighting and keep fighting,” said the world No.13.
After the match Monfils admitted that he was feeling some discomfort in his shoulder. But any hopes of a day off to recuperate were dashed when Thursday’s schedule was released.
Monfils will have to front up to Pat Rafter Arena tomorrow night for an appointment with American James Blake who knocked out another Frenchman earlier today, Marc Gicquel.
Monfils was full of praise for Blake, a player he believes is better than his ranking currently suggests.
“I think James is a great player … definitely James is around top 15. It will be a tough match.”
Monfils fired 16 aces but only managed 52 per cent of first serves on his way to a quarterfinals berth.
Earlier, Richard Gasquet extinguished West Australian qualifier Matt Ebden’s hopes of a fairytale ATP debut when he defeated him in straight sets, 6-3 6-4 in just under 80 minutes.
Despite the humid conditions, Gasquet’s class shone through on an otherwise overcast day.
Gasquet said he was happy with the win, but felt he has some room for improvement going into his next match.
“I played better in the first round, but this match is not the same, it is not centre court, it is not the same player – he has nothing to lose,” said Gasquet.
“I had everything to lose against him today, he’s a great player [he] serves well and moves well.”
Gasquet said he was looking forward to not being the favourite in his next match – a quarterfinal appointment with No.1 seed Andy Roddick who outclassed Australian Carsten Ball 7-6(0) 6-3 today.
“I have a lot of respect for him [Roddick], because he’s in the top 10 since a lot of times. He’s one of the best players in the world, so I have nothing at all to lose.”
Men Round 2
3-Gael Monfils (FRA) d Florent Serra (FRA) 6-7(5) 7-6(5) 6-1
8-Thomaz Bellucci (BRA) d Harel Levy (ISR) 6-4 4-6 6-4
1-Andy Roddick (USA) d Carsten Ball (AUS) 7-6(0) 6-3
Richard Gasquet (FRA) d Matthew Ebden (AUS) 6-3 6-4
Wayne Odesnik (USA) d Alejandro Falla (COL) 6-7(8) 6-2 6-1
2-Radek Stepanek (CZE) d Oleksandr Dolgopolov Jr. (UKR) 5-7 7-6(4) 6-2
James Blake (USA) d Marc Gicquel (FRA) 6-3 3-6 7-6(8)
Women Round 2
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) d Roberta Vinci (ITA) 1-6 6-4 6-1
Lucie Safarova (CZE) d 6-Aleksandra Wozniak (CAN) 6-3 6-1
4-Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) d Agnes Szavay (HUN) 6-3 6-1