Monfils ousts Roddick in fading light

Local hero Gael Monfils whipped the Parisian crowd up into a frenzy as the night drew in, defeating No6 seed Andy Roddick in straight sets 6-4 6-2 6-3 to earn a Roland Garros rematch with Roger Federer. The American was furious that the game was not suspended as the light faded, but in truth he was second best throughout the contest. In a high-flying, spectacular performance from the Frenchman, Monfils served huge, passed beautifully and controlled much of the play from inside the baseline. Playing in the fourth round of the tournament for the first time, Roddick rarely showed the stellar form that had easily won him his first three matches. A 2008 semi-finalist, Monfils cracked 45 winners (including 17 aces) and committed only 23 unforced errors, while the powerful Roddick was only able to total 18 winners (including just four aces) and committed 28 unforced errors. The American has been working diligently on his net game, but could only convert 12 out of 30 approaches. The game did not get under way until 7.45 in the evening due to Sorana Cirstea and Jelena Jankovic going to 9-7 in an epic third set, and as expected between two of the biggest hitters on the circuit, service dominated at the outset. Roddick held to love and 15, but Monfils drew first blood after that, breaking to lead 3-2. Roddick upped his game but Monfils held and served out to take the opener 6-4. Clearly irritated that he could not impose himself, Roddick began to complain to the chair umpire late in the second set that he could not see the ball properly and subsequently lost his cool. He had numerous chances to break Monfils serve, but could convert only 1 of 10 break points, while the Frenchman broke him six times. Roddick hoped to push the match until Tuesday, but holding two break points down 4-3 in the final set, he pushed an easy backhand down the line wide and then missed a backhand return. A charged-up Monfils then held to 5-3 and won then match by pasting an inside-out forehand winner and watching Roddick dump a forehand volley into the net. The Frenchman celebrated wildly, while Roddick quickly hurried off the court. The American was phlegmatic after the match, saying that the conditions were the same for both players and that he merely failed to execute his game plan. "He served really big at the right times," said Roddick of Monfils. "His timing on the serves - in streaks, two or three in a row - was bad for me and great for him."