Gilles Simon defeats compatriot Gael Monfils in five sets at Wimbledon

Gilles Simon has advanced to the round of 16 at Wimbledon courtesy of a victory in five sets against compatriot Gael Monfils.

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Monfils got off to a strong start in the match as he took the first set with relative ease by earning two breaks of serve with excellent attacking play to take it 6-3.

However, the 30-year-old responded in the second as he managed to maintain his composure on his serve to quell the onslaught from the 18th seed, and earned the only break in the set to secure a 6-3 victory.

Both players found their best form in the third as both earned breaks of serve to ensure the set went to a tie-breaker, but Simon displayed his quality in the vital points to edge ahead in the match.

As the light closed in on court number one the match was shifted on to centre court where Monfils rediscovered his attacking edge to take the game to the 30-year-old by earning two breaks of serve to clinch the set to force a decider.

Simon raised the level of his game once more to end the hopes of his compatriot to earn two vital breaks of serve to take the final set 6-2 and earn a place in the next round of the tournament.

The 12th seed will face Tomas Berdych in the fourth round.