11 September,2016 10:07 AM IST | | PA Sport
Gael Monfils rejected accusations he failed to try his hardest against Novak Djokovic after he was beaten in a controversial semi-final at the US Open.
New York: Gael Monfils rejected accusations he failed to try his hardest against Novak Djokovic after he was beaten in a controversial semi-final at the US Open.
Monfils appeared to give up at times in Arthur Ashe Stadium as Djokovic won a peculiar contest 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 to stand one victory away from a 13th major title.
Monfils was noticeably lethargic and began loosely patting balls back into play as if entirely disinterested in making a comeback in the first set. The world number 12 gave a passionate defence of his performance and insisted he was simply aiming to unsettle his opponent.
"It was very quick to 5-0. I got to change a little bit. That's a little bit tough because for sure people are not really ready to see that. But why I will stay and lose 6-0 and not change anything? I definitely tried to get in his head. I try my best every time. He was just too good."
