Former champion Gael Monfils sustained a knee injury during his straight sets defeat to Portugal’s Joao Sousa in the Moselle Open semi-finals in Metz yesterday to become the latest home casualty at the French tournament.
The home crowd were dealt a blow after what could have been a final between their two stars Jo- Wilfried Tsonga and Gael Monfils has become a title match between Sousa and Belgium’s David Goffin, who followed up his victory over Tsonga in the quarters with a 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 win over Germany’s Jan- Lennard Struff.
Monfils’ defeat means that the ATP event in Metz will be won by a non-Frenchman for the first time since Russian Dmitry Tursunov took the trophy in 2008.
Goffin saved five of the six break points he faced and will now pursue a second tour title, having secured his first in Kitzbuhel in July.
Sousa, seeded sixth in Metz, was equally impressive in ending the challenge of No2 seed and 2009 champion Monfils 7-6 (8/6), 6-2.
Sousa will also be looking to land his second tour title, adding to the trophy he won in Kuala Lumpur last year.
Monfils was heard telling the umpire “my knee is painful” in the second set of the match and later told reporters: “I did not want to get injured and that’s what has happened.
“I will have an MRI on Tuesday and hope that it’s nothing serious.”
The injury puts a serious doubt on Monfils’ participation in the Davis Cup final, where France take on Switzerland in Lille on November 21-23.
On his part, Sousa, ranked 39 in the world, was thrilled to reach his second final of the season (lost the Bastad final in July) and is hoping to post his first win over Goffin, who beat the Portuguese easily in the US Open a few weeks ago.
“I think I played a great match today against Gael,” said Sousa, who is the first Portuguese to ever win an ATP title.
“I’m very happy with the tennis I’m playing. I’ve been playing better and better. I hope tomorrow to play my best tennis, because Goffin is a great player and for sure he’s going to play very good.”
