Roger Federer competed at the Monte Carlo Masters for the sixth time in 2006, achieving his best result. Roger defeated Fernando Gonzalez and advanced into his first out of three consecutive title clashes in the Principality.
A year earlier, Richard Gasquet prevailed over the Swiss in the deciding set tie break in the quarter-final. Roger returned stronger 12 months later and beat the upcoming star, Novak Djokovic, in the first round. The Swiss dropped six games against Alberto Martin and Benjamin Balleret to find himself in the quarter-final.
Federer needed an hour to dismiss world no. 15 David Ferrer and set the semi-final clash against Fernando Gonzalez. It was their sixth meeting, the fourth on clay, and Roger produced a dominant 6-2, 6-4 triumph in 69 minutes to remain unbeaten against the Chilean.
Thus, he advanced into his first Monte Carlo final and arranged the Rafael Nadal duel. Like in the previous three encounters, Federer had the upper hand against Gonzalez from start to finish. He fended off all three break chances and mounted the pressure on the other side.
Gonzalez lost 42% of the points in his games and suffered three breaks from the Swiss’ six opportunities to propel the rival into the title match. They had a similar number of errors, and Federer dominated the winners segment, hitting 20 direct points and keeping Gonzalez on a mediocre seven.
The Chilean stayed in touch in the mid-range and most extended exchanges. Roger had the upper hand in the shortest rallies up to four shots, forging his victory in that segment with efficient serves and the first groundstrokes.
Roger Federer reached his first Monte Carlo final in 2006 over Gonzalez.
Federer drew first blood in the encounter’s opening game. He stole Gonzalez’s serve with a forehand down the line winner and confirmed the break with a smash winner in game two.
The Swiss remained in front with a perfect slice winner at 2-1 before securing another break a few minutes later following Fernando’s double fault that sent him 4-1 up. Serving in game six, Federer fended off two break chances and brought it home with a service winner.
He sealed the opener with three winners at 5-2 in under 30 minutes. Gonzalez made a better start in set number two, delivering two holds and earning a break chance at 2-1. Roger denied it with another booming serve and landed a forehand winner to close the game and level the score at 2-2.
With momentum on his side, Federer grabbed a break at 15 with a drop shot winner and held with a service winner for a 6-2, 4-2 advantage. Serving at 3-5, Fernando saved a match point with a drop shot winner. He repelled another with a service winner and held after a lovely drop shot to prolong the encounter and his chances.
That was all we saw from him, though, as Federer brought the tenth game home at love to seal the deal and advance into his 13th Masters 1000 final, the ninth in the last 11 tournaments at that level!
