The 38-year-old Gael Monfils has been on a roll in 2025! The veteran claimed the title in Auckland and gained a lift forward of the Australian Open. Gael took down three rivals in Melbourne and reached the final 16 for the sixth time.
The quarter-finalist from 2016 and 2022 confronted world no. 4 Taylor Fritz at Margaret Courtroom Area. Gael ousted Taylor 3-6, 7-5, 7-6, 6-4 in three hours and eight minutes. Thus, Monfils grew to become the second-oldest participant with a top-4 win at Majors since Ken Rosewall in 1974!
Gael will compete within the final 16 at Majors for the twenty first time and the primary in three years. The Frenchman stayed calm after the opening set, taking the pivotal factors within the subsequent three and delivering a notable victory that prolonged his successful streak.
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 18, 2025
The veteran fired 24 aces and outplayed probably the greatest servers on the Tour. Monfils performed effectively behind the primary and second serve and defended three of 4 break factors. Gael stopped the clock and fired 58 winners and 34 unforced errors!
Taylor didn’t play badly, however he couldn’t take the essential factors. The American landed 44 winners and 36 unforced errors whereas defending 4 of six break factors. Nevertheless, he received damaged within the closing phases of the fourth set, which value him dearly.
Gael Monfils, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
Monfils outplayed Fritz within the shortest and most superior rallies. He produced a high-quality tennis and organized the conflict in opposition to Ben Shelton. The Frenchman denied a break level within the fourth sport of the encounter with a service winner.
Taylor wasted a number of sport factors within the fifth sport and skilled a break level. He saved it with a forehand down the road winner and held for 3-2. The American stepped in on the return within the eighth sport and secured a break that despatched him in entrance.
World no. 4 served for the opener at 5-3 and welcomed the rival’s slice error for 6-3 in 37 minutes. Each gamers served effectively within the opening 11 video games of the second set. Taylor closed the tenth sport with a backhand winner and prolonged the battle.
Gael Monfils & Taylor Fritz, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
The veteran claimed the eleventh sport with a robust serve and made a push on the return within the subsequent one. Fritz missed a routine forehand and confronted three set factors. He netted a forehand on the primary, permitting Monfils to stage the general rating after an hour and 21 minutes.
The third set offered 11 snug holds. Taylor confronted two break factors within the sixth sport and denied them to stay in contact. World no. 4 held at love within the twelfth sport and launched a tie break. The veteran took cost on serve and return!
Gael claimed the opening level with a lob winner and claimed two return factors for a 3-0 benefit. Monfils landed an ace within the fifth level and prolonged the benefit. The Frenchman attacked within the sixth level and generated six set factors.
Gael Monfils, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
He transformed the second with a forehand down the road winner, shifting two units to 1 in entrance after two hours and 17 minutes. The veteran confronted a check within the fourth sport of the fourth set. Gael denied them and held for 2-2.
They served effectively within the subsequent 4 video games and locked the outcome at 4-4. Monfils stepped in on the return in sport 9 and drew the rival’s mistake for 2 break factors. Gael seized the second after an excellent protection, drawing Taylor’s error and shifting 5-4 in entrance.
Monfils produced a high-quality maintain within the tenth sport, firing an ace and shifting into the fourth spherical.
