yup.....i couldn't believe it either...
here's the post match interview:
Confident Monfils on the moveby Jennifer Witham
Wednesday, 17 January, 2007
Rising French star Gael Monfils described Day Three of Australian Open 2007 as the "best time of my life" directly after ending the winning run of 2006 finalist Marcos Baghdatis on Rod Laver Arena.
In a tough four-setter, which involved an injury time-out for Monfils after his movements were restricted by tape on his left foot, the 20-year-old from Paris prevailed over No.11 seed Baghdatis, 7-6(5) 6-2 2-6 6-0.
And, it seemed Melbourne found itself another cult figure with Monfils lifting the crowd with his fist-pumping antics, consistent desire to slide across the Rebound Ace as if it were clay, and collection of impossible shots.
"It's something magic. First when I get on the court I was a little bit scared because the stadium was full," the young Frenchman said after the win.
"And before the match, I knew it was a big match against Marcos, so to win was magic. That's the word, magic. "
Monfils, who has now made it through to the third round of the Melbourne Grand Slam for the first time and will meet compatriot and good friend Richard Gasquet next up, is taking the sensible approach to proceedings and isn't getting too far ahead of himself.
"It feels very good, very good, but I think I have to step through the tournament," he said.
"Like one match, maybe it's a big win, but still a long tournament, so after the tournament I would maybe say second round was good, but I have to see more now."
Baghdatis wasn't without his own crew of local support with Rod Laver Arena dotted with loud fans decked out in blue and white, and was full of praise for his younger opponent despite his disappointment over his inability to halt the Monfils train once it gathered momentum.
"Gael just played a great match today. He was very aggressive. He was hitting the ball very aggressive," Baghdatis said.
"He wasn't being very aggressive, but he was playing deep all the time. I just couldn't find a solution."
While today's rankings separate the two by 48 places and Baghdatis is just over 15 months older than Monfils, distinct comparisons between the two can be made.
Both were junior Australian Open champions, Baghdatis in 2003 and Monfils in 2004, both have claimed one career title and they turned professional within a year of each other.
And, both have staged consistent rises up the rankings since joining the Tour with Baghdatis moving from world No.179 in 2003 to No.12 today, and Monfils rising from No.231 in 2004 to No.46.
Before Wednesday night, the Cypriot held a 1-0 head-to-head advantage, having beaten Monfils at the ATP Masters Series in Cincinnati last year in a tough three-setter in the round of 32.
Since that August meeting, Baghdatis believes a rise in confidence and a change in coach to former ATP pro Pier Gauthier in October 2006, for the lanky French star has led to his sudden rise from obscurity.
"I think (in August) he had problems with coaches so he wasn't feeling so good. I couldn't say. I mean, every day is different. One day we play good, one day we play bad. One day you're good at important points, one day you're not," he said.
"He improved. Today, I think he stuck with his coach before this tournament. He's playing with nothing to lose, and you saw how confident he came on the court and how he's hitting his forehands and how he's running everywhere. He's very confident, and that's a lot.
"The tennis he has since two years, he doesn't improve anything amazing in tennis. It's just the confidence. It's just the experience.
"I think it's good that he found his way, he stuck with his coach and he's feeling very confident now. That's the difference, I guess."
And, Monfils agreed Baghdatis's win in Cincinnati came with completely different circumstances with the Cypriot clearly suffering from tightness in their most recent encounter in Melbourne.
"Today the conditions were very different because we were out there with the roof. I learned a little bit," he said.
"I know how to play, and when you're going to make a mistake … and I think today Marcos was very tight so it was easy to defend. A good way to play against him."
Especially the last one - angry baby in disbelief with a soother in the mouth ;D lol .
Have fun here with us!
