2009 Thailand Open winner Gilles Simon of France continued to struggle with shoulder problems but managed a 6-4, 6-4 defeat of Japan’s Go Soeda on Thursday to reach the quarter-finals.
Simon will line up for a semi-final spot on Friday when he faces compatriot Gael Monfils, playing in only his second event since returning after four months away with a knee injury.
Monfils upset Serb sixth seed Viktor Troicki 7-5, 7-5, changing tactics after trailing in the opening set.
“He was playing better early on and I was giving him mistakes. I tried a lot of things,” said the former French Open semi-finalist. “Finally I began slicing more and hitting harder, it turned into a physical fight, I was able to run him all over the court.
“I’m gaining confidence from another quality win here. It was my second tough match here.”
Monfils said that while he does not doubt Simon’s complaints about shoulder problems, he noted that his compatriot has not forsaken any ATP play as a result.
“How many events has he missed? Four months out with a knee injury is much worse. I’d much rather be him than me going into our match. I’m not saying he has nothing (wrong), but he’s still been playing all along.”
Simon, Tomic pass difficult tests for Bangkok wins: 2009 Thailand Open winner Gilles Simon of France continued to struggle with a shoulder injury but managed a 6-4, 6-4 defeat of Japan’s Go Soeda on Thursday to reach the quarter-finals.
Australian Bernard Tomic, seeded eighth, struggled in his own way as he played a tennis replica of himself, coming out a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 second-round winner over Israeli opponent Dudi Sela after nearly two and a half hours.