For a while, Gael Monfils was cruising to an easy win over his Italian opponent. Up 6-2, 6-4 and a break in the third, Monfils began fooling around a bit and eventually lost the third set 7-5. Monfils was also up two breaks in the fourth set, but again lost this set, 6-4. At 4-all, with other matches being called because of darkness, Monfils insisted on continuing and Fognini didn’t want to continue. The Parisian crowd was cheering for more play.
With light becoming increasingly scarce, Fognini managed to hold his serve saving a break point in the game. At this point, it was decided that only one more game would be played. Monfils was down 15-40, double match point and managed to save match points and eventually save the game. It was getting bad enough that Monfils was spinning very slow serves for first serves. The commentators were incredulous how anyone could see what was going on. Neither player wanted to hit the ball and approach the net. Monfils was hitting drop shots earlier on and decided not to do that either.
At 5-all, the match was called at around 10 PM local time (the sun set around 9:40 local time) and will be continued tomorrow. Other matches that were also called: Isner was down a set to Chiudinelli, but is on serve in the second set at 5-all. Andy Murray is up 6-2, 3-all on Chela. Baghdatis took sets 2 and 3 over Granollers who took the opening set.
Berdych won his match over Roger-Vasselin in straight sets. de Bakker beat Garcia-Lopez in 4 sets. Reister beat Rochus in straight sets. He plays Roger Federer next. Wawrinka beat Beck in straight sets. He will face the winner of Monfils-Fognini.
Most of these matches failed to be completed because of rain delays earlier in the day.