Federer storms back to halt Gonzalez

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The world number one, seeking his maiden title at Roland Garros, made a sluggish start out on Suzanne Lenglen Court but rallied in time-honoured fashion to canter to a 2-6 6-2 6-3 6-4 win in a minute over two hours.

Federer had a 10-1 advantage in all meetings with the 24th seed prior to this latest encounter but his confidence may have been tempered by Gonzalez's superb 16-0 record on clay in 2008.

Gonzalez backed up those impressive statistics as he came flying out of the traps in the opening set, breaking the first Federer service game.

But in typical Federer fashion the tables were turned in the next set, and from there on in, the world number one was comfortably in his stride.

And his semi-final opponent will be Gael Monfils who delighted his home crowd as he ousted Spain's David Ferrer.

Unseeded Monfils, the junior champion at Roland Garros in 2004, continued his love affair with the tournament by posting an assured 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-1 victory in two hours and 27 minutes.

The world number 59 becomes the lowest-ranked player to reach the final four at Roland Garros since Andrei Medvedev in 1999, and the first Frenchman since Sebastien Grosjean in 2001.

Monfils' run at the French Open is in stark contrast to his season to date, which did not start until March because of a knee injury and saw him win just five matches in seven tournaments prior to Roland Garros.

But the crowd at Roland Garros' main court sensed a French win was in the ether and Monfils delivered exactly that in the fourth set, dropping just one game on his way to closing out the match as he continued to force mistakes from his opponent.