Rafael Nadal defeats Gael Monfils - US Open Tennis 2009 Fourth round

Rafael Nadal

Gael Monfils

Flushing Meadows, New York, USA
September 8, 2009

World No. 2 Rafael Nadal advanced in the tournament in four sets to the quarterfinals of US Open Tennis 2009. Nadal who relied on his serve didn't fire any aces, but rallied past the 13th seeded Gael Monfils 7-6(3), 6-3, 6-1, 6-3 to win the match in two hours and 45 minutes. He committed only 24 errors against Monfils' 63 and converted 8 of 14 break chances. Monfils won the first set and his celebration received a warning a from the chair umpire. Nadal won the next three sets to set up a quarter final clash with Fernando Gonzalez.

Match Updates

23:49 EST: Rafael Nadal wins the match!!
23:49 EST: Match point for Nadal.
23:48 EST: 40-15
23:48 EST: 30-15
23:47 EST: 15-15
23:47 EST: 0-15
23:46 EST: Nadal to serve for the Match.
23:46 EST: GAME Nadal. Gael Monfils vs Rafael Nadal: 7-6 (7-3), 3-6, 1-6, 3-5
23:46 EST: Double break point for Nadal.
23:45 EST: 15-40.
23:44 EST: 0-40. Monfils serve hits the net
23:44 EST: 0-30. An opening for Nadal.
23:44 EST: 0-15
23:43 EST: 2 hrs 40 min of play in the match so far.
23:42 EST: Monfils on serve.
23:42 EST: Back hand miss. GAME Nadal. Gael Monfils vs Rafael Nadal: 7-6 (7-3), 3-6, 1-6, 3-4
23:41 EST: 40-15
23:41 EST: 30-15
23:40 EST: 30-0
23:40 EST: 15-0
23:39 EST: Nadal on serve.
23:39 EST: Another Ace from Monfils. Gael Monfils vs Rafael Nadal: 7-6 (7-3), 3-6, 1-6, 3-3
23:39 EST: Statistics update: Aces: Monfils: 9, Nadal: 10
23:39 EST: 40-15. Ace from Monfils.
23:38 EST: 30-15.
23:38 EST: 15-15
23:38 EST: 15-0. Monfil' serve with the new ball is nice. Nadal hits strong but wide.
23:38 EST: Monfils to serve.
23:36 EST: Players are back to the chair. Gets a little energy sitting.
23:35 EST: Monfils get a break. Gael Monfils vs Rafael Nadal: 7-6 (7-3), 3-6, 1-6, 2-3
23:35 EST: 30-40. A break point is saved.
23:34 EST: Double break point for Monfils.
23:33 EST: 15-40. Monfils is happy.
23:32 EST: 15-30. Monfils misses on the return.
23:32 EST: 0-30. An opening for Monfils.
23:32 EST: 0-15
23:31 EST: Nadal on serve.
23:31 EST: GAME Nadal. Gael Monfils vs Rafael Nadal: 7-6 (7-3), 3-6, 1-6, 1-3
23:29 EST: 30-40. Nice play by Monfils. Good effort by him as he moves from wide the court. He saves a break point here too.
23:28 EST: 15-40. A big long rally. Double break point for Monfils.
23:28 EST: 15-30
23:28 EST: 15-15. Nice backhand from Monfils.
23:26 EST: 0-15
23:26 EST: Monfils to serve.
23:26 EST: Statistics update: Unforced Errors: Monfils: 51, Nadal: 20
23:26 EST: 141 minutes of play so far in the match.
23:25 EST: Nadal gets the lead in the fourth set. Gael Monfils vs Rafael Nadal: 7-6 (7-3), 3-6, 1-6, 1-2
23:25 EST: 40-15.
23:24 EST: 40-0.
23:23 EST: 30-0. Wide and out.
23:23 EST: 15-0
23:23 EST: Nadal on serve.
23:23 EST: 138 minutes of play in the match so far.
23:22 EST: GAME Monfils. Gael Monfils vs Rafael Nadal: 7-6 (7-3), 3-6, 1-6, 1-1
23:22 EST: 40-30
23:21 EST: 40-15. Nadal hits the ball long. Ball lands OUT just near Monfils.
23:21 EST: 30-15
23:21 EST: 15-15
23:20 EST: 0-15.
23:20 EST: Monfils to begin with serve.
23:19 EST: GAME Nadal. Gael Monfils vs Rafael Nadal: 7-6 (7-3), 3-6, 1-6, 0-1
23:19 EST: 40-15. 117 MPH serve here.
23:19 EST: 30-15
23:19 EST: 30-0
23:17 EST: 15-0
23:16 EST: Nadal on serve.
23:16 EST: Players are back to the chair. They changes their shirts.
23:15 EST: The match enters into fourth set.
23:14 EST: Nadal wins the Third set. Gael Monfils vs Rafael Nadal: 7-6 (7-3), 3-6, 1-6
23:14 EST: 15-40.
23:14 EST: 15-30
23:14 EST: 15-15. The ball is just wide.
23:14 EST: 15-0
23:13 EST: Monfils on serve.
23:12 EST: Game Nadal. Gael Monfils vs Rafael Nadal: 7-6 (7-3), 3-6, 1-5
23:12 EST: 40-15. Monfils' return hits hard to the net.
23:11 EST: 30-15.
23:11 EST: 15-15.
23:11 EST: 0-15. Forehand by Nadal. Lands outside the line near Monfils.
23:10 EST: 124 minutes of play so far in the match.
23:08 EST: Nadal on serve.
23:08 EST: Nadal breaks the serve for the second time in the third set.
23:08 EST: Advantage Nadal. A break point opportunity here for Nadal.
23:07 EST: 96 MPH serve.
23:07 EST: Deuce. Double fault from Monfils. The second one.
23:07 EST: 125 MPH first Serve.
23:07 EST: Advantage Monfils.
23:06 EST: Deuce. Monfils' serve appears too hard for Nadal.
23:06 EST: 30-40. Nadal is all set to break the set. 88 MPH second serve this.
23:05 EST: 30-30. Monfils hits up and wide. The ball lands outside the line.
23:05 EST: 30-15. A big first serve. 122 MPH serve.
23:05 EST: 15-15
23:04 EST: 0-15
23:03 EST: Monfils on serve.
23:03 EST: Nadal is back to the chair. He is changing his racket.
23:03 EST: Nadal holds the serve. Gael Monfils vs Rafael Nadal: 7-6 (7-3), 3-6, 1-3
23:02 EST: 40-0. Down in the middle and long.
23:02 EST: 30-0.
23:02 EST: 15-0.
22:59 EST: Nadal on serve. New balls in use now.
22:59 EST: 115 minutes of play in the game so far.
22:59 EST: GAME Monfils. Gael Monfils vs Rafael Nadal: 7-6 (7-3), 3-6, 1-2
22:59 EST: 40-15. 91 MPH Serve.
22:58 EST: 40-0
22:58 EST: 30-0. 86 MPH second serve.
22:58 EST: 15-0. Ball is just OUT.
22:57 EST: Nadal is challenging that.
22:57 EST: Monfils on serve.
22:56 EST: 119 MPH Serve. Nadal is able to hold. Gael Monfils vs Rafael Nadal: 7-6 (7-3), 3-6, 2-0
22:56 EST: 40-15. Nadal is trying to consolidate the tie-break here.
22:56 EST: 30-15
22:55 EST: 15-15. Nadal misses now.
22:55 EST: 15-0. 111 MPH second serve. Monfils misses. Hits too long.
22:55 EST: Nadal on serve.
22:53 EST: A 90 second break here for the players. Nadal is quick and back. Monfils comes back to the court a little late.
22:52 EST: Nadal takes the first game of the third set
22:52 EST: 30-40.
22:52 EST: Break point for Nadal.
22:51 EST: The ball is just IN. So, 15-40
22:51 EST: CHASE review is up
22:51 EST: 81 MPH second serve. Inside out and just wide. The player is challenging the call.
22:50 EST: 15-30.
22:50 EST: 15-15
22:50 EST: 0-15
22:48 EST: 106 minutes of play so far in the match.
22:48 EST: Statistics update: Double Faults: Monfils: 1, Nadal: 0
22:47 EST: 49 minutes of play in the second set as against to 53 minutes in first set.
22:47 EST: Nadal wins the Second Set!! Gael Monfils vs Rafael Nadal: 7-6 (7-3), 3-6
22:46 EST: Advantage Nadal. 81 MPH Serve. Well played there. Nadal runs quick to return the ball to the opposite site. Way too far for Monfils to return it.
22:45 EST: 94 MPH first serve.
22:45 EST: Deuce. 68 MPH serve. Monfils hits a great shot from near the net.
22:45 EST: 97 MPH first serve.
22:44 EST: 40-30. Second serve. 81 MPH. Nadal hits cross court but wasn't quick enough to return. His set point continues.
22:44 EST: Set point for Nadal.
22:43 EST: 40-15. 99 MPH serve. A cross court winner here.
22:43 EST: 40-0. Nadal is now all set to wrap the second set.
22:43 EST: 30-0. Monfils hits outside the line.
22:42 EST: Statistics update: Unforced Errors: Monfils: 30, Nadal: 17
22:42 EST: Statistics update: Winners: Monfils: 19, Nadal: 15
22:42 EST: 15-0
22:42 EST: Nadal on serve.
22:42 EST: Nadal has 70% success rate in winning on first serve as against to 70% by Monfils.
22:41 EST: Nadal has 71% net approaches as against to 50% from Monfils.
22:41 EST: 96 minutes of play so far in the game.
22:40 EST: Nadal breaks. Gael Monfils leads 7-6 (7-3), 3-5
22:39 EST: 30-40. 94 MPH serve. A good rally here. Nadal gets a break point here.
22:39 EST: Excellent piece of tennis here.
22:38 EST: 30-30. 120 MPH Serve. Nadal shows good athletic work. Succeeds in returning. Monfils however hits to the net on his return.
22:38 EST: 30-15. Cross court short angle and Nadal's return hits the net.
22:37 EST: Monfils continues to serve 92 MPH serve.
22:37 EST: 31 shots in the previous rally.
22:37 EST: 15-15. Nadal blinks. Hits the net.
22:37 EST: The rally began with a 93 MPH serve
22:36 EST: A nice rally seen here.
22:36 EST: Just an update. Monfils is currently serving.
22:35 EST: 0-15
22:34 EST: 89 minutes of play so far in the match.
22:34 EST: Monfils on serve.
22:34 EST: Gael Monfils leads 7-6 (7-3), 3-4
22:33 EST: Challenge review the ball is OUT
22:33 EST: Nadal is challenging.
22:32 EST: 102 MPH serve. A good return of serves.
22:32 EST: A break point here for Monfils.
22:31 EST: 30-40. 91 MPH serve.
22:30 EST: 30-30
22:29 EST: 30-15.
22:29 EST: 15-15. 99 MPH Serve.
22:29 EST: 15-0. 109 MPH serve. Monfils hits into the net.
22:28 EST: Nadal on serve.
22:28 EST: 83 minutes of play in the match so far.
22:27 EST: 87 MPH serve. Nadal takes control of the set. Gael Monfils leads 7-6 (7-3), 2-4
22:26 EST: 30-40. 102 MPH second serve. A huge exchange of serve. A break point for Nadal
22:26 EST: 30-30. 106 MPH serve. Back hand and a slicing.
22:25 EST: 15-30. 104 MPH serve. A big return from Nadal.
22:25 EST: 0-30. An opening for Nadal.
22:25 EST: 0-15.
22:24 EST: 134 MPH serve.
22:23 EST: Monfils on serve.
22:23 EST: Players returns to their chairs
22:23 EST: A winner here for Nadal. Gael Monfils leads 7-6 (7-3), 2-3
22:22 EST: 40-15. Loose shot by Monfils.
22:22 EST: 30-15.
22:21 EST: 15-15.
22:20 EST: 15-0. A perfect hit from Nadal.
22:20 EST: 86 MPH serve.
22:20 EST: Nadal on serve.
22:19 EST: Monfils levels the second set 2-2
22:19 EST: 40-0.
22:18 EST: 30-0. 89 MPH serve. Monfils appears impressed after the ball goes wide but within the limits.
22:18 EST: 15-0. A miss hit in the second serve. 97 MPH.
22:18 EST: Monfils on serve.
22:17 EST: Nadal is up and ready. Monfils comes back a little slow after the short break.
22:16 EST: Monfils on serve
22:16 EST: Game Nadal. Gael Monfils leads 7-6 (7-3), 1-2
22:15 EST: 40-15.
22:15 EST: 30-15. A nice shot by Monfils.
22:14 EST: 15-15. Monfils is athletic enough to return but Nadal is very near to the net and hits the ball to the opponent side even before he is ready. So Nadal gets a point here.
22:13 EST: Call stands and there is no challenge.
22:13 EST: A small cheerful discussion here
22:12 EST: 0-15. 106 MPH serve. A down the line for a winner.
22:12 EST: Nadal on serve.
22:12 EST: Monfils holds the serve. 1-1
22:11 EST: 40-15. Monfils' return hits hard to the net.
22:11 EST: 40-0. 94 MPH second serve
22:11 EST: 110 mph first serve.
22:11 EST: 30-0. 109 MPH serve.
22:10 EST: 15-0. A 111 MPH serve.
22:10 EST: Monfils to serve.
22:09 EST: 64 minutes of play. 11 minutes for the first game of the second set.
22:09 EST: Nadal holds the serve. Gets the first game of the second set. Gael Monfils leads 7-6 (7-3), 0-1
22:08 EST: Game point for Nadal.
22:07 EST: Advantage Nadal. 79 MPH second serve. Another break point for Nadal. Crowd cheers at the intelligent play by Nadal here.
22:07 EST: First serve hits the net.
22:06 EST: Deuce.
22:06 EST: Advantage Nadal. Overhead and it paid off. Nadal is calculative enough and decide.
22:05 EST: Deuce. Nadal hits to the opposite side and Monfils is too far to return it.
22:04 EST: Advantage Monfils. The ball comes a little wide and Monfils is at the receiving end of the advantage.
22:04 EST: 40-40
22:03 EST: 40-30.
22:03 EST: 40-15.
22:02 EST: 40-0. A loose game here
22:02 EST: 30-0. Monfils return hits the net.
22:01 EST: 15-0
22:01 EST: Nadal begins the serve.
21:58 EST: Players back at their chairs. Change their shirts.
21:57 EST: Monfils wins the first set. Gael Monfils vs Rafael Nadal 7-6 (7-3)
21:57 EST: Set point for Monfils
21:57 EST: Gael Monfils vs Rafael Nadal 6-6 (6-3)
21:56 EST: Gael Monfils vs Rafael Nadal 6-6 (5-3)
21:56 EST: Gael Monfils vs Rafael Nadal 6-6 (4-3). Smart play by Nadal
21:54 EST: Gael Monfils vs Rafael Nadal 6-6 (2-4). A mini-break here.
21:54 EST: Gael Monfils vs Rafael Nadal 6-6 (2-3)
21:52 EST: 79 MPH serve. Gael Monfils vs Rafael Nadal 6-6 (1-2)
21:52 EST: Nadal on serve.
21:52 EST: The ball is marked IN
21:51 EST: A challenge is called.
21:50 EST: Gael Monfils vs Rafael Nadal 6-6 (1-1)
21:50 EST: Gael Monfils vs Rafael Nadal 6-6 (1-0)
21:50 EST: Monfils starts with the serve.
21:50 EST: The first set is now in a tie-break.
21:49 EST: Nadal holds the serve. Gael Monfils vs Rafael Nadal 6-6
21:48 EST: 40-0. Monfils returns the ball too wide.
21:48 EST: First serve hits the net.
21:47 EST: 30-0. 104 MPH serve. Both the players appear to be playing outside the line as they exchange the ball.
21:47 EST: 15-0. Monfils hits a little wide.
21:47 EST: 104 MPH serve
21:46 EST: Nadal appears to be more fit and much better in this match compared to the previous ones in the tournament.
21:45 EST: Nadal to serve
21:44 EST: GAME Monfils. Gael Monfils vs Rafael Nadal 6-5
21:44 EST: 40-15. 89 MPH serve. Monfils gives an easy point for Nadal here.
21:44 EST: 40-0. An excellent serve.
21:43 EST: 30-0. 86 MPH second serve. Monfils gives up chasing as the ball goes out.
21:43 EST: 11 MPH first serve.
21:42 EST: 15-0. 99 MPH serve here. A long point. Nadal hits the ball to the net.
21:42 EST: Monfils on serve.
21:42 EST: Nadal won the last three games.
21:42 EST: 112 MPH Serve. Nadal levels the set. 5-5
21:42 EST: Game point for Nadal.
21:41 EST: 15-40. Another short point here.
21:41 EST: 15-40
21:41 EST: 15-30. 114 MPH serve. Monfils returns weakly to the net.
21:40 EST: 15-15. 102 MPH serve.
21:39 EST: 15-0.
21:39 EST: Nadal to begin with serve.
21:39 EST: Monfils gets up first and begins to walk. Nadal gets up too.
21:38 EST: Players take their seats.
21:38 EST: 33 minutes of play so far in the match.
21:37 EST: 112 MPH serve. Nadal gets the break, improves his lead in the first set. Gael Monfils leads 5-4
21:36 EST: 15-40. A Winner for Monfils.
21:36 EST: 0-40. Triple break point here for Nadal.
21:36 EST: Monfils appears tired and is sweating.
21:35 EST: 0-30.
21:35 EST: The ball is marked IN
21:35 EST: The player is going to challenge here
21:35 EST: 120 MPH Serve.
21:33 EST: 0-15. 99 MPH Serve. A good amount of exchange of the ball. A good amount of rally by the players here. An easy sitter towards the base line.
21:33 EST: Monfils will now serve for the first set.
21:33 EST: 92 MPH Serve. GAME Nadal. Gael Monfils leads 5-3
21:33 EST: Game point for Monfils.
21:32 EST: 112 MPH first serve
21:32 EST: 40-30. 107 MPH serve. Ball goes long.
21:31 EST: 30-30. 104 MPH second serve. Ball goes long.
21:31 EST: 117 MPH serve. First serve.
21:31 EST: 30-15. A volley. Good play by Nadal.
21:30 EST: 15-15. A long forehand error.
21:30 EST: 15-0.
21:29 EST: Nadal to serve.
21:28 EST: Fans are see cheering up and enjoying the background music. Players are back on their chair.
21:28 EST: 23 minutes of play in the match so far.
21:28 EST: 125 MPH Serve. GAME Monfils. Gael Monfils leads 5-2
21:28 EST: Game point for Monfils.
21:27 EST: 40-30. Monfils returns hard and fast but the ball makes way too wide and out.
21:26 EST: 40-15. 93 MPH second serve. Nadals gets a point here
21:26 EST: 40-0.
21:26 EST: 30-0. Monfils waits and leaves the ball as it is noted to be out.
21:25 EST: 15-0 97 MPH serve. Appears to be the longest point. Nadal hits to the net.
21:24 EST: Monfils on serve.
21:24 EST: Good serve there. 117 MPH. Nadal holds the serve. Gael Monfils leads 4-2
21:24 EST: 40-0. Not a good play by Monfils. Hits to the net from close.
21:23 EST: 30-0.
21:23 EST: 15-0. 101 MPH serve there.
21:21 EST: Nadal begins to serve
21:21 EST: A break from Monfils. A 4-1 lead.
21:20 EST: 40-30.
21:20 EST: 40-15.
21:20 EST: Statistics update: Winners: Monfils: 5, Nadal: 1
21:20 EST: 16 minutes of play in the match so far.
21:20 EST: 30-15. A miss hit from Monfils.
21:19 EST: 30-0. Simple hits by Monfils
21:19 EST: 15-0
21:18 EST: Monfils on serve.
21:18 EST: A wide. Monfils breaks the serve. Gael Monfils leads 3-1
21:17 EST: 30-40. Nadal saves a break point here.
21:16 EST: 15-40. Monfils plays smart. In the first few returns he is just defending and once the volley is put in, he returned the ball slowly and smartly and Nadal wasn't swift enough.
21:14 EST: 15-30. Nadal runs all over the court to return the ball from Monfils. What a point it is. An enormous athletic movement from all side of the court.
21:14 EST: 15-15.
21:14 EST: 0-15
21:14 EST: Nadal is dressed in a yellow shirt. Appears with full confidence and fully in focus.
21:13 EST: Nadal on serve.
21:13 EST: 7 minutes of play so far in the match
21:11 EST: GAME Monfils. Gael Monfils vs Rafael Nadal 2-1
21:11 EST: 40-30. A miss from Nadal and Monfils get a point
21:09 EST: 30-all.
21:09 EST: 15-15
21:09 EST: Monfils is on serve
21:08 EST: GAME Nadal. Gael Monfils vs Nadal 1-1
21:08 EST: 40-0
21:08 EST: 30-0
21:07 EST: 15-0. Finding a deep shot tough. Monfils gives up.
21:06 EST: Nadal is now on serve.
21:05 EST: An Ace. Monfils takes the first game
21:05 EST: 40-15
21:05 EST: 30-15. A 127 MPH Serve here.
21:04 EST: 15-15.
21:04 EST: 15-0
20:59 EST: Monfils begins with the serve.
20:58 EST: Monfils won 7 matches and lost 3 in the US Open
20:57 EST: Monfils won 24 matches and lost 11 during this year,
20:57 EST: Players have arrived in the court and are warming up.
20:55 EST: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the match

Rafael Nadal vs Gael Monfil

Match Preview

World No. 3 Rafael Nadal beat Nicolas Almagro in the third round of the tournament. Nadal has droped a set in the tournament so far in the second round to Nicolas Kiefer. Gael Monfils, ranked No. 13, advanced to the fourth round when his opponent in third round Jose Acasuso retired. Monfils was leading 6-3, 6-4, 1-0 when Acasuso retired.

Head to Head

Nadal has a 4-1 head to head record against Monfils. They last met in the semifinal of Rotterdam which Nadal won in straight sets.

Rafael Nadal in US Open Tennis 2009
September 06, 2009	Third Round	Defeated Nicolas Almagro	7-5, 6-4, 6-4
September 04, 2009	Second Round	Defeated Nicolas Kiefer	6-0, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4
September 02, 2009	First Round	Defeated Richard Gasquet	6-2, 6-2, 6-3

Gael Monfils in US Open Tennis 2009
September 06, 2009	Third Round	Defeated Jose Acasuso	6-3, 6-4, 1-0 retired
September 04, 2009	Second Round	Defeated Andreas Beck	6-3, 7-5, 6-3
September 02, 2009	First Round	Defeated Jeremy Chardy	6-1, 6-4, 6-3

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