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1/31/09 7:32 AM | Ricky Dimon
Next week's SA Open in Johannesburg will be without electrifying French star Gael Monfils due to an injury. The tournament could also be in danger of losing another Frenchman, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
After retiring in the fourth set of his fourth-round Australian Open match against fellow Frenchman Gilles Simon, Gael Monfils pulled out of next week's SA Open in Johannesburg, South Africa. The oft-injured Monfils was forced to call it quits against Simon because of a wrist injury, while he trailed two sets to one and 2-1 in the fourth.
According to tournament director Ian Smith, Monfils was "disappointed beyond words" that he had to withdraw from the South African ATP event. "Gael was obviously very disappointed when he called," Smith added, "not only because of his withdrawal from the South Africa Open, but also as a result of bowing out of the Australian Open in which he had been displaying great form.
"Gael said he had been looking forward to coming to South Africa for the first time and assured me that he planned to play in our tournament in future years."
Monfils will be replaced by Dudi Sela, who reached the third round of the Australian Open before losing to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in four sets.
Tsonga, meanwhile, enjoyed another solid run in Australia, one year after finishing runner-up Down Under. This time around Tsonga fell to Fernando Verdasco in a four-set quarterfinal. The French phenom suffered no apparent specific injury, but physical problems have plagued him throughout his career, and Tsonga wants to be cautious with a recurring back injury.
If Tsonga does decided to test his luck at the SA Open, he will be the No. 1 seed at the event. Spain's David Ferrer is currently slotted in the No. 2 position.
Said Ferrer of the tournament field: "I have never played Tsonga, but he is in great form, while (Marcos) Baghdatis is a very good hard-court player."
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I finally got to watch this guy (Monfils) live in Melbourne last week in one of his matches - he was amazing to watch. Great pity about his injuries. I would definitely love to see more of him, and see him advance further in the ranking.
tenstar , 2/1/09 5:48 AM
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They were afraid JWT would withdraw because of his back, but he is in Johannesburg already:
"The charismatic Tsonga, an uncanny look-alike of a youthful Muhammad Ali, was in a hearty mood on his arrival in spite of a strenuous 14-hour flight from Melbourne and looked ready for action after immediately inspecting the impressive four-court stadium erected especially for the event. (etc.)" (Pretoria News)
Francoise , 1/31/09 9:01 AM