Federer misses chance to play at Paris finals

Federer congratulates Monfils in Paris-Bercy Keystone

Roger Federer failed to break his Paris Masters jinx when he fluffed five match points in a 7-6 6-7 7-6 semifinal defeat to local favourite Gael Monfils.

It was a tight match Saturday evening featuring three tie-breaks. Despite a 4-1 lead in the deciding set, top-seeded Federer was unable to hold back Monfils, who fought hard and made no errors.

“One time the whole court was open and I still didn’t manage to get a point. That’s pretty disappointing,” Federer said at a press conference afterwards.

The 12th-seeded Monfils will meet Robin Soderling in Sunday’s final after the Swede saved three match points before ending Frenchman Michael Llodra’s brilliant run with a 6-7 7-5 7-6 win.

For Federer, the match in itself was a small victory. It was the first time that he had managed to advance past the quarterfinals at the Paris Masters.