World number one and defending champion Jannik Sinner joined veteran Gael Monfils (38 years old) and young American Lerner Tian in the fourth round of the Australian Open on Saturday.
Sinner defeated American Marcos Giron 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 to achieve his tenth consecutive victory in Melbourne and reach the round of 16 for the fourth year in a row.
“I am very happy to reach the next round,” said Sinner, who will face Serbian Miomir Kekmanovic or Danish Holger Rohn, seeded thirteenth, in the next round.
He added, “Every match has its own difficulties. Today I felt that he was very strong from behind the court when he was serving well. I still have room for improvement, but every win is great, especially in these circumstances.”
He added: “Today my net game wasn't really good, but I'm trying to improve, it's part of the game.
“Sometimes I feel things are getting a little better, sometimes worse, and that's normal. Trying to stay there mentally is the most important aspect. Hopefully in the next round I can raise my level, but I'm still very happy.”
Tian continues his teenage revolution
Learner Tian became the youngest man to reach the fourth round at the Australian Open since Rafael Nadal in 2005.
elsewhere, TianThe 19-year-old defeated Frenchman Corentin Moutet 7-6 (12-10), 6-3, 6-3, continuing his amazing run in his first appearance at the Australian Open, becoming the youngest player to reach the fourth round since Rafael Nadal in 2005.
The American player defeated fifth-seeded Daniil Medvedev in the early hours of Friday morning, but he showed no signs of fatigue from that five-set epic to set up a date with Lorenzo Sonego.
“It feels great, of course,” California said. “This has exceeded my expectations this week, you expect to win every game but to be there in Week 2 is amazing.”
Monfils shocks Fritz and reaches the round of 16 in Melbourne
Gael Monfils (38) upset Taylor Fritz at the Australian Open
The future of men's tennis was on display at the Australian Open however my son He dealt a huge blow to the old guard by defeating fourth seed Taylor Fritz.
Frenchman Monfils is the second player aged 38 or over, after Roger Federer, to reach the round of 16 in Melbourne since 1988.
He is enjoying a start to 2025 after becoming the oldest singles title winner on the ATP Tour in Auckland last weekend.
Monfils followed that up by defeating US Open finalist Fritz 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7-1), 6-4, and celebrated by dancing in Margaret Court Arena to the delight of the Australian crowd.
This is only the second time that Monfils has beaten a top-five opponent in a Grand Slam, the first time being in 2008.
“It was an incredible match,” Monfils said. “I felt like I could move great today and the game plan was to maintain my baseline. I did the job. I was lucky but every day is different.”
“We're working hard. I'm trying to be very disciplined in my recovery, I have a strong belief in myself and a strong belief that I can still do some damage. Here we are in the second week of the Australian Open.”
Victories for Michelsen and De Minaur
Monfils joins 37-year-old Novak Djokovic in the round of 16, while at the other end of the age spectrum he is 20 years old. Alex Michelsen He reached the fourth round at a major tournament for the first time.
The American, who defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in the first round, achieved a wonderful victory with a score of 6-3, 7-6 (7-5), 6-2 over Karen Khachanov, seeded nineteenth.
Michelsen revealed that his favorite player to watch growing up was Monfils, who turned professional the year the American was born.
“The guy is a pure athlete,” Michelsen said. “All the circus shots and sensation. He was amazing. I still love watching him. I always love watching him. Definitely my favorite guy.”
Alex de Minaur He reached the fourth round for the fourth year in a row by defeating Francisco Cerundolo 5-7, 7-6 (7-3), 6-3, 6-3.
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