Gael Monfils became the oldest player to win an ATP title since 1977 when he beat Zizou Bergs 6-3, 6-4 in the ASB Classic final on Saturday afternoon. Monfils, 38, secured the 13th winner’s trophy of his career after one hour and 37 minutes.
“It means a lot,” the Frenchman assured. “Age is a number. But we keep working. I keep believing that I can play high-quality tennis and I have been showing it this week so I am very happy. [My first title] was 20 years ago. I still have the passion to play tennis. I feel I [can] still strike the ball very well. Hopefully (there are) many more to come.”
Ken Rosewall won the 1977 Hong Kong tournament at 43 years old.
It was a borderline miracle run in Auckland for Monfils, who might as well have been on the next flight to Melbourne for the Australian Open about an hour into his opening-round match. The former world No. 6 trailed Pedro Martinez 6-1, 5-2 before storming back to prevail 1-6, 7-6(5), 6-3.
At the Adelaide International, Felix Auger-Aliassime captured his sixth title with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 victory over Sebastian Korda on Saturday night. The Canadian cracked 10 aces and broke Korda three times while triumphing in one hour and 49 minutes.
“It feels great,” Auger-Aliassime said. “Any title feels amazing. I’ve had my fair share of difficulty to win titles in the beginning of my career, and now every one means a lot. To show that I can play well on other surfaces, to get over that hump and win a first title outdoors, is great.”
The world No. 29 now heads to Melbourne Park, where he could face a tough opener against Jan-Lennard Struff. Monfils got an even worse draw against countryman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.
nice one, Monf