After defeating Canada's Frank Dancevic in straight sets, Gael Monfils then spoke to French newspaper L'Equipe to have a few words about his upcoming schedule and what it meant to him playing in the French Caribbean of Guadeloupe where he grew up.
Roland Garros dream
Gael Monfils featured in France's 5-0 Davis Cup win over Canada and it wasn't significant, but for the Frenchman the fact he played in Guadeloupe meant much more to him than anything having grown up around these parts.
Monfils spoke to L'Equipe and had this to say, "For me it is a dream, I have been here several times for exhibition, I had my first hits here, it was a part of my life. So far it's the biggest moment of my little career, but I hope to win Roland Garros."
Monfils also thinks the pressure that is being added to his game is positive for him, "I feel, I like the pressure, I take it quite well. And it does not help me to lose weight." he added jokingly. "When you play so much under the pressure, the experience of the Davis Cup matches, of tough Roland Garros matches, it is being felt."
The Frenchman's best result at Roland Garros came in 2008, when he reached the semifinals as a 20-year-old. He defeated Arnaud Clement, Luis Horna, Jurgen Melzer, Ivan Ljubicic and David Ferrer before losing to Roger Federer in four tight sets. He has not gone beyond this stage at any other Grand Slam.
The number 16 and French number three was part of the Davis Cup team that made it to the final in 2014. He played a vital role in defeating Australia, Germany and Czech Republic in the semifinal, before losing to Switzerland in the final despite defeating Federer in the second rubber.