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1/6/10 10:43 PM | Ricky Dimon
Gael Monfils and James Blake are set to do battle in a marquee matchup at the Brisbane International on Thursday. A spot in the semifinals is on the line.
If nothing else, fans at the Brisbane International on Thursday will surely be treated to some extremely entertaining tennis. Gael Monfils and James Blake, two talented shotmakers, are scheduled for a blockbuster quarterfinal that could just as easily pass for a final of a 250-point event when both men are at their best.
Their respective talents, of course, are undeniable. Monfils is arguably the top athlete on the ATP World Tour and is without question one of the best defensive players in the business. Despite slumping all of last season, Blake continues to own one of the most lethal forehands in tennis.
Monfils has already needed to produce his full array of defensive skills in order to stay alive this week. The 13th-ranked Frenchman survived Taylor Dent 7-6(1), 6-7(5), 6-2 in the first round before scraping past Florent Serra 6-7(5), 7-6(5), 6-1 on Wednesday.
Blake, seven years older than Monfils at 30, is down to No. 44 in the world following a dreadful 2009 campaign in which he struggled with various physical problems (and inconsistency) and parted ways with his long-time coach. The veteran American, however, looked extremely impressive in a three-set victory over countryman Sam Querrey on Tuesday. Blake then saved three match points to outlast Marc Gicquel 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(8) and earn his spot in the quarterfinals.
Monfils and Blake have squared off on three previous occasions, with Blake leading the head-to-head series 2-1. With the French fans behind him, Monfils prevailed in five sets at Roland Garros 2006, but Blake got revenge later that year at Queen's Club and Blake triumphed again at the 2007 Masters Series Rome.
Each player has already toiled through a thriller or two this week, and another one should be on the menu for Thursday. Monfils is the favorite on paper, but Blake is showing renewed signs of life in 2010. Look for Blake to advance in three scorching sets.
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James Blake
Gael Monfils
Brisbane International
chr18, Mar 22, 2010 1:23 AM
tj600, Mar 22, 2010 1:19 AM
fan4tennis, Mar 21, 2010 10:59 PM
maxi, Mar 21, 2010 8:37 AM
SenorPlaid, Mar 21, 2010 3:54 AM
RickyDimon, Mar 21, 2010 11:14 PM
vamosrafa, Mar 20, 2010 7:28 PM
vamosrafa, Mar 20, 2010 7:18 PM
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