Evergreen star wins all-French thriller

On By Littum

“Age is a number” was the assessment of Gael Monfils when he broke the record as the oldest winner of an ATP tour title in Auckland last week.

Height and serve speed are just numbers, too, and they counted for little as the French veteran outworked his younger, more explosive compatriot Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in a memorable five-setter on Tuesday.

Monfils could have completed a remarkable straight-set win over the No. 30 had he not squandered two match points with a double fault in a third-set tie-break, but he held his nerve to claim a 7-6, 6-3 , 6-7, 6-7, 6-4 victory in front of a 3,000 strong audience who read the play well enough to secure a place on a poorly chosen right three.

Gael Monfils (left) consoles his Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard after winning a five-set thriller in the first round of the Australian Open. Image: David Gray/AFPGael Monfils (left) consoles his Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard after winning a five-set thriller in the first round of the Australian Open. Image: David Gray/AFP

Gael Monfils (left) consoles his Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard after winning a five-set thriller in the first round of the Australian Open. Image: David Gray/AFP

The 38-year-old was well supported in his 19th first-round appearance at Melbourne Park and withstood a flurry of first serves that moved 230km/h from Mpetshi Perricard to force the first set into a tie-break.

Monfils became the oldest ever ATP tour title winner when he took out the ASB Classic in Auckland last week aged 38, surpassing Swiss maestro Roger Federer.

His rich run of form continued as he saved two set points when his 203cm rival framed an overhead kick that would have given him the lead before securing an early break in the second set.

The popular showman received another standing ovation from a Melbourne Park crowd when he dove low to the right and delivered an extraordinary forehand passing shot around his 203cm opponent to win the second set.

Gael Monfils made his grand slam debut in 2005 but is playing some of his best tennis 20 years later at the ripe old age of 38. Picture: David Gray / AFPGael Monfils made his grand slam debut in 2005 but is playing some of his best tennis 20 years later at the ripe old age of 38. Picture: David Gray / AFP

Gael Monfils made his grand slam debut in 2005 but is playing some of his best tennis 20 years later at the ripe old age of 38. Picture: David Gray / AFP

Mpetshi Perricard showed his flair by sending down no less than eight second-serve aces and upped the ante in the fifth set to an average first-serve speed of 207km/h.

But while Monfils opened the door for his younger opponent when his serve went off the boil, he rarely looked threatened on his serve in the final two sets to send his opponent to his main draw debut at Melbourne Park.

Monfils compared the quality of Mpetshi Perricard’s serving to the likes of retired Croatian beanpole Ivo Karlovic as he reiterated that he spent little time worrying about his age.

“Honestly, I never really think about (the age difference). I never really think about it,” he said after the game.

“You’re the one asking me. I’m doing my best. I know I’m a little old, but I’m doing my best.

“Last week I was twice the age of the player. I have a 21-year career and Giovanni is 21. The numbers are there, but I struggle, so I try not to put numbers in my head.”