DJOKAVIC BLOWS PAST MONFILS

The wind in Flushing Meadows, NY during the quarter-finals of the U.S. Open Wednesday was a wind that even Dorothy and Toto would have complaints about, and they know wind. As the wind swirled and gusted around Arthur Ashe court on Wednesday, Novak Djokavic stayed the course and broke the spirit of the young Frenchman, Gael Monfils, en route to his fourth straight trip to the semi-finals of the U.S. Open.

Serbian Novak Djokavic celebrates a winner during the match

Djokavic, a very spirited and animated player on the court took a different approach to the quarter final match against Monfils as he noticed that the winds were going to play a huge role in both players game. With winds gusting up to 36 mph, Djokavic and Monfils had issues with even the most everyday aspects of their game. Djokavic talked to himself and his racket for a good part of the match as his backhands were taken off course by the wind that seemed to have a mind of it's own. During one long exchange between the players Djokavic misplaced a forehand, that was clearly affected by the wind, which caused him to slam his racket face down onto the court in disgust. Monfils had issues with his serve as he would toss the ball into the air and it would travel away from his projected line of the racket and he would have to recoil and try it all over again. It was as trying to watch the match as I'm sure it was to actually be on the court and play it. Early it looked as if Monfils had brought his "A" game of athleticism to the match and he would move into his second straight Grand Slam semi-final, but as the match progressed you could see Monfils become more frustrated with the wind and the play of Djokavic.

Gael Monfils catches himself after falling during quarter-final match

When it was all said and done Monfils finished with 17 winners and 37 unforced errors. Djokavic added after the match "These were the worst conditions so far in the tournament. I don't think the crowd really enjoyed the tennis too much."

I really thought that this was an awesome match between two great athletes who both should be on the Grand Slam radar for many years to come. The more Djokavic kept approaching the net and playing tightly the more Monfils would show his speed as those long legs would unwind and catch up to the ball and allow the gangly arms to take over and drop a beautiful return right back, just not with the regularity that he had experienced thus far in the tournament. Experience played a huge role in the outcome of this match as the high  tennis I.Q. of Novak Djokavic proved to be to high in this wind aided chess match. Djokavic now will face #2 Roger Federer on Saturday after a much deserved  two day rest.



#3 NOVAK DJOKAVIC     7    6    6

#17 GAEL MONFILS         6    1    2