Monfils bullish about season after Australian Open run

Omnisports 11:08 - 27 January 2016

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Flamboyant Frenchman Gael Monfils is confident he will maintain his Australian Open form throughout the 2016 ATP Tour season.

Monfils lost out to Milos Raonic in Wednesday's last quarter-final in Melbourne, beaten 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-4 on Rod Laver Arena.

The 23rd seed was unable to progress to just his second grand slam semi-final, but could nevertheless take encouragement from his best run at an Australian Open.

Monfils had never made it beyond the fourth round prior to this year's tournament, so the 29-year-old is looking ahead with optimism.

"I think I started my season great," Monfils said afterwards.

"I showed quality, strength in this tournament, and I have a strong belief that I will keep going this season like this."

Monfils, who beat Yuichi Sugita, Nicolas Mahut, Stephane Robert and Andrey Kuznetsov en route to the last eight at Melbourne Park, added: "It was a tournament [where] I won a couple of matches and was good. I played good tennis.

"I was good, I would say good focus. Good quality in the mind.

"I was happy with all of those wins."