Roger Federer prepared for task ahead against Gael Monfils

Roger Federer must snap a two-match losing streak against French showman Gael Monfils on Sunday if he wants to stay in the hunt for a second French Open title.

Roger Federer expects a battle when he faces local favourite Gael Monfils at Roland Garros.  

Yoan Valat / EPA
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PARIS // Roger Federer must snap a two-match losing streak against French showman Gael Monfils on Sunday if he wants to stay in the hunt for a second French Open title.

The elastic-limbed Monfils has caused Federer trouble throughout his career and will be full of confidence after beating the Swiss at Monte Carlo and before that in the Davis Cup final last year.

Men’s world No 2 Federer is yet to drop a set in three rounds on the clay at Roland Garros this year but knows he will have to be at his best to subdue Monfils in a standout last-16 clash, especially in front of a partisan Parisian crowd.

“I’m always happy to play Gael,” said Federer, who beat Monfils in the quarter-finals here the year he won the French Open for the only time in 2009.

“He’s in Paris, he’s at home. He’s very strong. He loves these kinds of matches.

“So, I know the danger.

“I know his performance.”

Monfils, the 13th seed, will be going for third time lucky today, having twice lost to Federer at Roland Garros, and said the crowd could make all the difference.

“Some matches, Roger has killed me,” said 28-year-old Monfils, who was born in Paris.

“Roger always wants to dictate the match the way he wants, but I really try to change it and put Roger out of his comfort zone.

As for the crowd?

“I saw it the most in the US Open – Roger was very unhappy when the crowd is not behind him,” Monfils said. “That will help me a lot, for sure.”

Federer, 33, said he expects a tricky match against a player who mixes up the his style to great effect, although with an 8-4 career record against Monfils he will start favourite.

“Monaco was so early in the clay-court season it was always going to be tough, even though I wasn’t hitting the ball so bad, but still not quite understanding how passive or aggressive I needed to play,” Federer said.

“He’s played me tough throughout my career, especially the last four, five years.”

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