Australian Open: USA’s Taylor Fritz shocked by veteran Gaël Monfils, who ‘inspired’ wife Elina Svitolina to own an upset.

CNN
—

French veteran Gaël Monfils rolled back the years to beat US No. 4 seed Taylor Fritz in the third round of the Australian Open on Saturday, winning 3-6 7-5 7-6(1) 6-4 after three hours and eight minutes brilliant tennis.

The 38-year-old Monfils becomes the second-oldest male player in history behind Roger Federer to reach the fourth round Down Under since the Australian Open moved to Melbourne Park in 1988, according to the ATP.

In the very next match at the same Margaret Court Arena, Elina Svitolina, Monfils’ wife, knocked out women’s world number 4 Jasmine Paolini to complete a dream day for the family.

Monfils watched Svitolina’s victory from her players’ box as the Ukrainian 28th seed also came from a set down to win 2-6 6-4 6-0 and reach the fourth round.

“It was a crazy match. I was inspired after my husband’s win,” Svitolina said.

“I saw a bit of that match, of course it was hard to miss.”

Monfils, a 13-time winner on the ATP Tour, sealed his win on a booming ace – his 24th of the match – and went on to celebrate with a shimmy and a dance on the court, his moves and infectious smile drawing huge cheers from the crowd.

“I felt good. I felt in this moment that I wanted to do it (dance),” Monfils told reporters. “I wanted to be myself. I had this in mind so I just did what was in my mind. It was my way of expressing my joy.

“Like I always say, I’ll keep playing those games. Play a big player, big stadium, good crowd, good energy. When you’re 38 years old, that’s what I want and I had it. I was very lucky to win it, but that’s exactly why I play.”

It was a near perfect performance of skill, power and wit from Monfils after dropping the first set.

Fritz was unable to get a handle on Monfils’ varied game from the baseline, while the Frenchman’s serve was an unstoppable weapon at times.

Monfils, world no. 41 and former world no. 6, is enjoying an incredible run to start his 22nd season on tour; last week he won the ASB Classic in Auckland to become the oldest player ever to win an ATP Tour title.

But despite his early success in 2025, Monfils does not believe he is a contender at the Australian Open.

“Win?” he replied, wide-eyed in surprise, when asked if he could win the title. “None. To be honest with you, winning the tournament is not even a dream. My dream is to grow old with many children and healthy.

“It’s your dream, I think, for me to win a slam,” he joked. “My dream is to have an incredible family. Tennis is great, of course you want goals and dreams, but my dream is out there.”

Despite Fritz’s defeat, there is still a healthy contingent of American entrants in the tournament, with Monfils facing American Ben Shelton in the fourth round on Monday.

Elsewhere, American teenage qualifier Learner Tien defeated France’s Corentin Moutet 7-6 (10) 6-3 6-3 to continue his dream run in Australia.

The 19-year-old, who had never been past the first round of a slam before, stunned fifth seed Daniil Medvedev in the previous round and will face Lorenzo Sonego on Monday.

No. 21st seed Ben Shelton also reached the fourth round with a 6-3 3-6 6-4 7-6(5) win over Italian no. 16 seed Lorenzo Muzetti, while unseeded 20-year-old American Alex Michelsen upset no. 19 seed Karen Khachanov 6-3 7-6(5) 6-2.

In the women’s draw, Madison Keys won the all-American clash against Danielle Collins 6-4 6-4, while Emma Navarro beat Ons Jabeur 6-4 3-6 6-4.