Monfils eases past Pouille under Arthur Ashe roof
An all-French clash ended in victory for Gael Monfils over Lucas Pouille in the US Open quarter-finals.
Gael Monfils maintained his impressive streak at this year's US Open by moving into the semi-finals with a 6-4 6-3 6-3 victory over Lucas Pouille.
Pouille had upset two-time champion Rafael Nadal in the previous round, but he looked to be feeling the effects of being taken the distance in three consecutive matches leading up to the all-French clash on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
After surviving a break point at 1-1 in the opening set, Pouille fell behind in his next service game as Monfils took an early grip on the match, sealing the set with a superb cross-court forehand.
A break either side of a rain delay - kept to a minimum by the new retractable roof - saw Monfils claim the second set without facing much resistance from his opponent, while the third proved to be another straightforward affair.
Pouille was having to fight hard to win games on his own serve without threatening Monfils on his. When the break for 3-1 arrived, Pouille's fate was all but sealed.
Monfils wrapped up the victory with his 13th ace of the match, reaching a grand slam semi-final for only the second time in his career.
Monfils is yet to drop a set at Flushing Meadows and will face Novak Djokovic or Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the last four.