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1/5/09 9:19 PM | Ricky Dimon
Gael Monfils eases past Jan Hernych on Monday at the Qatar Open. He is on a collision course for the quarterfinals with Rafael Nadal.
Gael Monfils wrapped up 2008 in stellar forum and he opened 2009 in style on Monday at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open. Monfils rolled over Jan Hernych 6-2, 6-2 in just 55 minutes to reach the second round.
The No. 5 seed broke Hernych for a quick 3-1 lead in the first and broke again in the eighth game to close out the opening frame of play. Monfils overwhelmed his opponent with his serve, firing seven aces and winning all 13 of his first-serve points.
Monfils then sprinted to a 5-1 lead in the second. The Czech held, forcing Monfils to serve out the match, but the Frenchman did just that with no problem. Monfils finished with nine aces while serving at 70 percent.
"It's good it wasn't a long match but I practiced hard before the season began," he said. "I did everything and it was a perfect match for me."
Monfils soared to No. 13 in the world last year with an impressive second half of the season. He reached the semifinals of the French Open, where he lost to Roger Federer in four sets, and followed that up with a semifinal appearance on the grass courts of Nottingham. Monfils missed Wimbledon due to injury, but bounced back to reach the quarterfinals of the Olympics and the fourth round of the U.S. Open.
"It was a good match to start the season," added Monfils. "If I win one more match, then I should run into Rafa." Top-seeded Rafael Nadal opens with Fabrice Santoro on Tuesday, but the Spaniard will meet Monfils if both men advance to the quarterfinals.
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