Monfils dominates Mpetshi Perricard at the end of the suspense and reaches the second round of the Australian Open

The 100% French shock in the first round of the long-awaited Australian Open pitted Gaël Monfils against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.

The two men arrive in Melbourne full of confidence. Author of a 2024 season which saw him emerge in the eyes of the general public, Mpetshi Perricard was seeded 30 in the tournament.

For his part, Monfils was full of victories in Auckland and won the 13th title of his career in New Zealand.

Ready to move on, the 41st in the world played against his friend to try to reach the second round.

In a close match but for a long time in favor of the older of the two players, Monfils thought he could quickly close the affair when he had two match points in the third set.

But Mpetshi Perricard held on and took his opponent into an extended match.

Finally, in a match where only Monfils obtained break points (2 converted out of 12), experience made the difference.

Gaël Monfils, author of 18 aces and 16 double faults, ended up having the last word (7-6, 6-3, 6-7, 6-7, 6-4 in 3h46). He will meet Daniel Altmaier or Francisco Comesana in the next round.