Update On Teen Sensations: Monfils & Murray

Frenchman Gael Monfils will meet American Andy Roddick in the Grand Prix de Tennis de Lyon in tomorrow’s finale. The 19 year old Monfils, who ranks an impressive 36th in the ATP champion race, will play in his third final of the season. He captured the title in Sopot, but was runner-up in Metz. Monfils defeated countryman Sebastian Grosejan to reach the Lyon final.

The top-seeded Roddick had this to say about his opponent: “It will be tough. Monfils plays just like me. The first time I saw his serve, I thought I was looking in the mirror with the motion he has.” Roddick attempts to recover, most notably, from a first round loss at the U.S. Open in September, and collect his 5th title of the season. To reach the final, Roddick defeated the French “magician” Fabrice Santoro 6-4, 7-6(5).

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Eighteen year old British sensation Andy Murray lost yesterday in the quarter finals of the Swiss Indoors tournament in Basel. Murray said this about his loss in Basel: “I'm happy with the two wins I had here but not with the way I played. . . but I suppose it's a good sign when you're beating top 50 players without playing your best tennis.” Murray took out number one ranked Brit Tim Henman in the first round 6-2, 5-7, 7-6. He went farther at Wimbledon as well, winning the support of the British fans.

Turning pro this year, Murray broke into the top one hundred in ATP rank. He reached a career high of 70th when he played the Thailand Open final, losing to Roger Federer in straight sets. Murray currently ranks 89th.