Gael Monfils became the first Frenchman to reach the French Open [ Images ] semi-finals in seven years when he defeated Spanish fifth seed David Ferrer 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 on Wednesday.

No home men's singles player since Sebastien Grosjean in 2001 has reached the last four at Roland Garros [ Images ].

• Federer recovers to reach semis

Safina rallies to shock Dementieva

The unseeded Monfils, who will meet world number one Roger Federer [ Images ] for a place in Sunday's final, is bidding for a title that has eluded French men since Yannick Noah's triumph in 1983.

Monfils broke twice in the opening set to take command of the contest but Ferrer, a claycourt specialist, comfortably levelled, only for the Frenchman to step up a gear and wrap up the win after two hours and 27 minutes.