Gael Monfils Defies Age and Odds to Reach Australian Open Fourth Round
In a thrilling display of resilience and skill, Gael Monfils has etched his name alongside the legendary Roger Federer as one of the few men to reach the Australian Open’s fourth round at the age of 38 or older since the tournament expanded its field in 1988. This remarkable feat was achieved after Monfils staged a stunning comeback to defeat the No. 4 seed, Taylor Fritz, with a scoreline of 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (1), 6-4 on a memorable Saturday in Melbourne.
The atmosphere at Margaret Court Arena was electric as Monfils sealed his victory with a blistering 134 mph ace, his 24th of the match, which was double the number managed by Fritz. The crowd erupted in cheers, with many fans waving French flags in support of the charismatic Frenchman. Monfils, known for his entertaining style of play, celebrated with a dance at the baseline, much to the delight of the spectators.
Monfils’ journey to this point has been nothing short of inspiring. He began his season with a title win at a hard-court event in Auckland, New Zealand, making him the oldest man to win a tournament since at least 1990. Reflecting on his success, Monfils said, “Just fortunate. But every day is different. We work hard. I try to be very disciplined with the recovery. I am a strong believer [in] myself. Strong belief I can do some damage.” Despite never advancing past the quarterfinals at the Australian Open, Monfils remains optimistic, saying, “With a little luck, here we are in the second week of the Australian Open.”
Federer, who was slightly older at 38 when he reached the semifinals at Melbourne Park in 2020, serves as a benchmark for Monfils’ achievement. Monfils now faces a much younger opponent in the next round, either No. 16 Lorenzo Musetti of Italy or No. 21 Ben Shelton of the United States, both of whom are just 22 years old.
Monfils’ performance on Saturday was a testament to his enduring talent and flair. He compiled an impressive ratio of 58 winners to 34 unforced errors and dropped only one service game. His net play was particularly effective, winning 11 of the 15 points he finished at the net, while Fritz managed only 16-for-30 when he pushed forward.
After the match, Monfils simply stated, “I’ve done the job.” His victory ended a 12-match losing streak against top-five players at Grand Slam tournaments, a significant milestone in his illustrious career.
For Fritz, the 27-year-old American who was the runner-up to Jannik Sinner at the US Open in September, this loss marked his exit as the highest-seeded man from the bracket at Melbourne Park this year. During the match, Fritz received treatment for his right foot, which may have impacted his performance.
Adding a personal touch to the day’s events, Monfils’ wife, Elina Svitolina, was also scheduled to play in the same stadium later that night against a fourth-seeded opponent, two-time Slam finalist Jasmine Paolini. Monfils humorously remarked, “I warmed up the court for her.”
Earlier in the day, another young talent made headlines. The 42nd-ranked Alex Michelsen, a 20-year-old Californian, delivered a commanding performance to overwhelm No. 19 Karen Khachanov with a score of 6-3, 7-6 (5), 6-2, reaching the fourth round at a major for the first time. Michelsen had already made waves earlier in the week by defeating No. 11 Stefanos Tsitsipas, the 2023 Australian Open runner-up, in the first round.
Looking ahead, Michelsen will face another high seed, No. 8 Alex De Minaur, an Australian who recently triumphed over No. 31 Francisco Cerundolo with a score of 5-7, 7-6 (3), 6-3, 6-3. The young American will be eager to continue his impressive run and send another top seed packing.
As the Australian Open progresses, the excitement and drama continue to captivate tennis fans worldwide. With seasoned veterans like Monfils defying age and young stars like Michelsen making their mark, the tournament promises more thrilling moments in the days to come.
Originally Written by: ESPN.com
