Jannik Sinner battled through illness and reached the quarter-finals of the Australian Open on Monday but the physical demands of Grand Slam tennis proved too much for French veteran Gael Monfils and American teenager Learner Tien.
Monfils was struggling with a back injury at the start of the fourth set as Ben Shelton advanced to the quarter-finals
Veteran Gael Monfils has rolled back the years in recent weeks with a string of incredible performances, but the Frenchman said he had exceeded his limit after retiring hurt from his fourth-round Australian Open match against Ben Shelton on Monday.
Recap, highlights, and quotes from Gael Monfils' win over Taylor Fritz in the third round of the Australian Open.
MELBOURNE, Australia — World No. 4 and U.S. Open finalist Taylor Fritz is out of the Australian Open after Gael Monfils continued his vintage run through the tournament. Fritz took the first set 6-3, but from thereafter Monfils took control, prevailing 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (1), 6-4.
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.
Learner Tien, 19, beats Corentin Moutet while Gael Monfils, 38, defeats fourth seed Taylor Fritz to reach the Australian Open fourth round.
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.
Gael Monfils rallied from a set down to claim a thrilling 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (1), 6-4 win over American Taylor Fritz in a third-round match at the Australian Open.
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.
Elina Svitolina revealed she had been inspired by her husband Gael Monfils after the couple both completed thrilling upsets in their respective matches at the Australian Open. Svitolina staged a brilliant comeback to beat fourth seed Jasmine Paolini 2-6 6-4 6-0 in their third-round meeting.
Monfils and Shelton smiled as they shook hands at the net and the 22-year-old was complimentary of the veteran’s efforts in the match. “Gael is a great guy, I’ve watched him since I was a ...