French veteran Gaël Monfils rolled back the years to stun the USA’s No. 4 seed Taylor Fritz in the third round of the Australian Open on Saturday, winning 3-6 7-5 7-6(1) 6-4 after three hours and eight minutes of scintillating tennis.
Elina Svitolina hailed a super Saturday for her and husband Gael Monfils at Melbourne Park after both sent world number four players packing from the Australian Open.
After his historic win, Monfils returned to Margaret Court Arena and sat in the stands to watch his wife, Svitolina, eliminate the women's No. 4 seed, two-time major finalist Jasmine Paolini 2-6, 6-4, 6-0 at night.
It was a day to remember at the Australian Open, with Learner Tien becoming the youngest to reach the fourth round since Rafael Nadal in 2005 and Gael Monfils defying age to tie French records and make history.
Gael Monfils has joined Roger Federer as the only men to reach the Australian Open’s fourth round at age 38 or older since the tournament field expanded to 128 players in 1988
Elina Svitolina says it’s a great outing for her and veteran husband Gael Monfils as they stun World No. 4s Jasmine Paolini, Taylor Fritz in their respective
Learner Tien, 19, beats Corentin Moutet while Gael Monfils, 38, defeats fourth seed Taylor Fritz to reach the Australian Open fourth round.
Gael Monfils, at 38 years old, stunned Taylor Fritz to reach the last 16 of the Australian Open. With agility and strategy, Monfils turned back the clock and celebrated with a dance on court. This victory marks a significant milestone in a season that's seen him reach new heights.
By Ian Ransom MELBOURNE (Reuters) -French flair topped American firepower as Gael Monfils turned back the clock to dump fourth seed Taylor Fritz out of the Australian Open on Saturday and celebrate his place in the last 16 with a dance on court.
Monfils joined Roger Federer as the only men to achieve this age-defying feat, before Svitolina eliminated No. 4 seed Jasmine Paolini later in the day.
American player and world No. 4 Taylor Fritz will face France's Gael Monfils tonight in Margaret Court Arena following the women's singles match between U.S. player Emma Navarro and Ons Jabeur. The match will take place in Margaret Arena no sooner than 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT today.