After swallowing a five-set loss in the Australian Open 2022 quarterfinals, Gael Monfils said he retained faith in his ability to win a Grand Slam.
“I need one time,” he said. “I won’t win 20, but one time, just one time I need.”
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Fast-forward to AO 2025, and the Frenchman inched closer to fulfilling that need on Saturday by upsetting fourth seed Taylor Fritz 3-6 7-5 7-6(1) 6-4, advancing to the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time since that inspired run in Melbourne three years ago.
With the feat – his first win over a top-five opponent at a major since 2008 – Monfils joined Roger Federer as the only other men’s singles player aged 38 or older to reach the last 16 at the year’s first Grand Slam since 1988.
-The well-liked Frenchman’s age isn’t at all reflected by his movement. At his 65th major and 19th AO, Monfils is playing a level of tennis that could be confused for his prime.
He had a 95 per cent win rate on first serve points during the second set (82 per cent for the match), and a match total of 24 aces, double the number struck by 27-year-old Fritz, who owns one of the top 10 fastest serves this tournament.
Monfils burst into dance after firing his final ace to clinch match point, executing a celebration that had been on his mind.
Belgium
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