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Gael Monfils takes on Roger Federer in the match of the day at the French Open

Gael Monfils celebrates after winning his match against Pablo Cuevas at the French Open
Image: Gael Monfils: The Frenchman will have the home crowd on his side against Roger Federer

Sunday at Roland Garros has a very French feel to it as the flamboyant Gael Monfils takes on 17-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer in the match of the day.

Federer will need to snap a two-match losing streak against French showman Monfils if he wants to stay in the hunt for a second title at Roland Garros though.

The elastic-limbed Monfils has caused Federer trouble throughout his career and will be full of confidence after beating the Swiss maestro in Monte Carlo and before that in the Davis Cup final last year.

World No 2 Federer is yet to drop a set in three rounds in Paris this year, but knows he will have to be at his best to subdue Monfils in a standout last-16 clash, especially in front of a Parisian crowd.

"I'm always happy to play Gael," Federer, who beat Monfils in the quarter-finals here the year he won the French Open for the only time in 2009, said.

"He's in Paris, he's at home. He's very strong. He loves these kind of matches. So I know the danger. I know his performance."

Third time lucky

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Gael Monfils and Roger Federer at the draw for the Davis Cup Final 2014
Image: Monfils beat Federer in the Davis Cup final last year

Monfils, the 13th seed, will be hoping it is third time lucky having twice lost to Federer at Roland Garros and believes the crowd could make a difference.

"Some matches Roger has killed me," the 28-year-old Monfils, who was born in Paris, said.

"Roger always wants to dictate the match the way he wants, but I really try to change it and put Roger out of his comfort zone.

"I saw it the most in the U.S. Open, Roger was very unhappy when the crowd is not behind him. That will help me a lot, for sure."

Tricky

Image: Federer is expecting a tricky match against the man knows as 'La Monf'

Federer, 33, said he expects a tricky match against a player who mixes up the his style to great effect, although with an 8-4 career record against Monfils he will start favourite.

"Monaco was so early in the clay court season it was always going to be tough, even though I wasn't hitting ball so bad, but still not quite understanding how passive or aggressive I needed to play," Federer said.

"He's played me tough throughout my career, especially the last four, five years now."

Alize Cornet will open up proceedings on Court Philippe Chatrier against Elina Svitolina with 14th-seeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga taking on Czech Tomas Berdych before the match of the day between Monfils and Federer. Spanish sensation Garbine Muguruza closes play when she battles Flavia Pennetta from Italy.

Over on Suzanne Lenglen, former world No 1 and 2008 champion Ana Ivanovic, US Open finalist Kei Nishikori, former Australian Open champion Stanislas Wawrinka and two-time French Open champion Maria Sharapova all take to the court.

Monfils was one of our five players to watch at this year's French Open

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