He is the last survivor. The only French player still competing at the Australian Open, Gaël Monfils is preparing to face a new major challenge this Monday in Melbourne. Opposed to Ben Shelton, twentieth player in the world, the French tennis veteran (38 years old) will try to qualify for the eleventh quarter-final of his Grand Slam career, the first in three years and his Australian adventure, concluded by a cruel defeat in five sets against Matteo Berrettini, in January 2022.
Author of an exceptional start to the season, the oldest man in the top 100 is irresistible in the antipodes. Winner in Auckland, “La Monf” continued with major victories during the first Grand Slam of the season, first eliminating his young compatriot Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard after a long fight in five sets before mastering the German Daniel Altmaier in the second round. But his real masterstroke came on Saturday. Facing Taylor Fritz, world number four, the French showman delivered a stunning performance, achieving the best victory of his career in terms of Major ranking.
Accompanied in Australia by his wife Elina Svitolina, also qualified for the second week, Monfils seems fulfilled and close to his best level despite the years. To beat Shelton and reach the quarters, he will have to extend his state of grace, as the American is so dangerous in Grand Slams. Quarter-finalist in 2023 in Melbourne, a year in which he also reached the last four at the US Open, the powerful left-hander gained confidence by eliminating Lorenzo Musetti, his bête noire until now, in the 8th.
The round of 16 of the Australian Open between Gaël Monfils and Ben Shelton will be followed this Monday. It is scheduled in the second rotation after a women's draw match scheduled at 4 a.m., therefore an estimated start of the match around 6 a.m. French time, on Eurosport channels.
