France News

French tennis star Gilles Simon to face Rafael Nadal

Monday, 26 January 2009

French tennis star Gilles Simon to face Rafael Nadal

French tennis star Gilles Simon will be facing Spain’s Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals after an injury caused Frenchman Gael Monfils to have to give up on playing at the Australian Open.

Sixth seed Simon was in the lead with a 6-4 2-6 6-1 score when 12th seeded Monfils was forced to retire from the game because he had hurt his right wrist and needed medical treatment for his injury.

Simon, however, progresses into his first Grand Slam quarter-final but he didn’t want to show much happiness about it seeing as it was at the expense of his 22-year-old compatriot and close friend who has been forced to quit.

Simon actually said afterwards that he had not wanted to win in this way.

The sunlight and heat at the Rod Laver Arena made conditions hard for both the French tennis players but both responded as best they could and it was a shame that it had to end as it did.

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