ATP Auckland: Gael Monfils wins title, leaves Roger Federer behind

Gael Monfils claimed his thirteenth ATP title in Auckland. The Frenchman performed in his thirty fifth ATP closing and ousted Belgium’s Zizou Bergs 6-3, 6-4 in an hour and 37 minutes, lifting a trophy and writing historical past books.

At 38 years and 4 months, Gael grew to become the third-oldest ATP champion within the Open period, becoming a member of Pancho Gonzales and Ken Rosewall on the unique checklist. Additionally, Monfils is the oldest champion on the ATP Toour (since 1990), taking the document away from Roger Federer.

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The Frenchman served at 55% and drew probably the most from that. Gael defended all six break factors, retaining his serve intact within the semi-final and closing regardless of enjoying in opposition to 11 break possibilities! Bergs missed his alternatives and paid the worth.

The Belgian dropped 38% of the factors in his video games and skilled one break in every set, settling for the runner-up prize. Monfils dominated together with his first serve and outplayed the youthful opponent within the pivotal moments to safe his first ATP trophy since Stockholm 2023.

Gael Monfils & Zizou Bergs, Auckland 2025© Stream screenshot

The veteran served properly within the opener and stored the stress on the opposite facet. He clinched an early break within the second recreation after Bergs’ careless forehand, constructing an early benefit. The Frenchman landed a forehand winner within the third recreation, cementing the break and shifting 3-0 up.

Struggling to impose his strokes, Zizou confronted one other difficult service recreation. The Belgian saved two break factors within the fourth recreation and held to get his title to the scoreboard. Gael left these possibilities behind and closed the fifth recreation with a service winner for 4-1.

The veteran grabbed the seventh recreation with a volley winner and served for the opener at 5-3. Gael wrapped up a flawless set with a maintain at love after a pressured error, hoping for extra in set quantity two. Bergs squandered recreation factors at 1-1.

He netted a forehand, shedding serve and falling a set and a break behind. Monfils held at love for 3-1, crusing towards the highest. Instantly, the veteran skilled three break factors within the sixth recreation. Zizou missed a forehand on two, squandering his possibilities to erase the deficit.

The Frenchman closed the eighth recreation with a service winner and served for victory at 5-4. The Belgian made one final push and earned three break factors. Gael saved two with service winners, and Zizou missed a large alternative on the third.

Monfils earned a match level after a routine forehand error from his rival and seized it when Bergs positioned one other forehand into the web, celebrating his first ATP title in virtually a 12 months and a half.