Gael Monfils has hailed the support that he has received from home fans at the French Open in recent days.
The 27-year-old reached the fourth round at Roland Garros yesterday afternoon thanks to a 5-7 6-2 6-4 0-6 6-2 victory over Italy's Fabio Fognini.
Having responded from picking up just six points during the fourth set to claim the win, Monfils believes that the supporters played a major role in his success.
"When I arrived in the fourth, he broke me straight away. I was starting to struggle a little bit, not cramping, but I felt really tired. I think all the fatigue coming up," the world number 28 told reporters.
"The crowd is always the difference. Today it was again amazing. I think it is never easy to drop a set. Trying to come back for the fifth is never easy, and definitely the crowd helped me a lot."
Monfils will now take on Guillermo Garcia-Lopez for a place in the quarter-finals.
Liam Apicella
