After beating Monfils, Federer says he is up for the challenge to face no 2 Djokovic
After beating Monfils, Federer says he is up for the challenge to face no 2 DjokovicThird seed Roger Federer will meet in-form Novak Djokovic for a place in the French Open final after beating home favourite Gael Monfils 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (7/3) in a low-quality quarter-final match yesterday.
The 16-time Grand Slam winner, who lost in the last eight last year following four straight final appearances, faces Djokovic after the second seed's scheduled quarter-final opponent, Italy's Fabio Fognini, withdrew through injury.
Switzerland's Roger Federer returns to France's Gael Monfils during
yesterday's French Open quarter-final encounter. PIC/AFP"He (Monfils) is a superb player, so I knew the danger of this quarter-final," said Federer after his sixth career victory over Monfils.
"I'm very happy to be in the semi-finals." Former World No 1 Federer, the 2009 champion, has made steady progress in the tournament to date and is yet to lose a set.
Djokovic, however, has beaten the great Swiss in their three previous encounters and requires just one more victory to level John McEnroe's 1984 record of 42 matches unbeaten at the start of a season.
A victory on Friday will also crown the Serb as the new World No 1.
"Playing a semi-final here at Roland Garros is a great moment and playing such a great player is what we train for," added Federer.
