A Night Nobody in New York Will Forget
Gael Monfils has always had a gift for the theatrical, and he delivered something truly special at this year's US Open in New York. Competing on his 40th birthday, the charismatic Frenchman defeated Paraguay's Adolfo Daniel Vallejo 2-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-0 on Louis Armstrong Stadium, becoming the oldest man to win a US Open main-draw match since Jimmy Connors achieved the same feat, also on his 40th birthday, back in 1992. The crowd, already energized by the occasion, capped the night by breaking into a spontaneous rendition of Happy Birthday during Monfils' post-match interview. "The atmosphere is always electric, I feel great here," Monfils told fans afterward, adding a rallying call for his second-round match ahead.
Farewell Tour Hits a High Note
This is Monfils' 18th and final US Open appearance. He announced last year that he will retire at the close of this season, making every match a piece of his long goodbye to professional tennis. Despite a shaky opening set against world number 60 Vallejo, the former world number six quickly found his footing and took control with the acrobatic shot-making and creativity that have made him a fan favorite throughout his career. The victory extended his all-time record of Grand Slam match wins for a French player, reaching 131 total. Adding a charming personal touch, Monfils revealed that his wife, former professional Elina Svitolina, gifted him a watch for his birthday. He now faces American 14th seed Learner Tien in the second round. TennisDraw users tracking Monfils' farewell run will want to update their bracket picks after this unforgettable opening performance.
