New York (AFP)
Gaël Monfils insisted Monday night on the quality of his next opponent in the quarterfinals of the US Open, the Italian Matteo Berrettini (25), a "very very good player" he does not want to see underestimated.
"He's a very, very good player, it's going to be a very big game and you know it very well," he told French journalists.
"He's in the top 20. He's won two tournaments this year, and he was not a favorite against Rublev in the round of 16," said Monfils, referring to Berrettini's match against Russia's Andrey Rublev (43rd). ).
"I have the impression that when you do not play Nadal, Roger or Djoko in the quarter, you have the ch ... You too (the journalists) you must be good by saying that there are other players "he said.
"He's doing really well, he's got a great forehand and he's very aggressive, the only game he's slightly disappointed me against is Roger (Federer) at Wimbledon", in the 8th finals this year when the Switzerland easily won 6-1, 6-2, 6-2.
The French is delighted to face Berrettini on the gigantic court Arthur-Ashe, its more than 20,000 spectators and its electric atmosphere.
"When I get back on this court I get off, I have chills, but what about what I say to myself + it's incredible, the chance to play on it +", he insisted.
In addition, this speaker "has the name of my idol", the former black-American tennis player.
"I've had crazy matches on this court, nice matches, great wins, big defeats, defeats that are a little worse, matches with panache.For me, it is a beautiful field , a nice match in perspective, to me to be ready: it will be a beautiful quarterfinal, "he promised.
© 2019 AFP