Fifth-seeded Gael Monfils has reached the final at the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam for the first time in his career by beating Phillip Kohlschreiber 6-3 6-2. The Frenchman will play his first final since Marseille 2015 when he lost against Gilles Simon.
Monfils had to save three break points at the start of the match before breaking serve at 4-3 en route to clinching the first set 6-3. Monfils broke serve in the fifth game of the second set to take a 3-2 lead after reeling off 11 consecutive points. Monfils got a double break before sealing the win on the first match point in just 77 minutes.
Monfils fended off all three break points he faced.
“I covered the court very well and hit my backhand well. Sometimes luck is on your side and everything works. Today was one of these days. I tried to win every point, to be solid and not to waste a single ball. Tomorrow I will play as hard as I can. And if I win the title, I will be very happy”, said Monfils
“The result makes it look like it was quick and easy, buti t really wasn’t. In the first set the difference was made by one break. After that, everything fell into place”, said Monfils.
Monfils will play his first final of the season against Martin Klizan who battled past Nicolas Mahut in three sets after saving three match points.
The Frenchman will be bidding to win his first title since Montpellier 2014.
“Martin has shown that he is a real fighter. Klizan has survived eight match points. It’s never easy against him, because he always gives his all. I know that I need to limit my mistakes as much as possible in the final”, said Monfils.
Monfils has a win-loss record of 5-17 in the previous finals played during his career.
“Especially during the first years of my career, it was almost impossible to win a final, as I faced some world class like Roger Federer, Ivan Ljubicic and Andy Roddick. I have had my chances in several finals but in those moments it just happened that my opponent was better. I still have time to watch Klizan’s matches via social media, so I will make sure I will be prepared for tomorrow”, said Monfils
