Monfils’ hot streak reaches new heights with Australian Open upset of Fritz

Gael Monfils just can’t stop winning–even when the competition gets tougher and tougher.

Monfils extended his winning streak to eight matches when he defeated world No. 4 Taylor Fritz 3-6, 7-5, 7-6(1), 6-4 in round three of the Australian Open on Saturday afternoon. The 38-year-old, whose preparation for the season’s first Grand Slam featured a title last week in Auckland, showcased an incredible level throughout the last three sets to pull off the upset in three hours and eight minutes.

An almost hard-to-believe streak began in especially improbable fashion, when Monfils trailed Pedro Martinez 6-1, 5-2 in the Auckland first round. The Frenchman somehow came back from the dead in that match and the rest in history. He proceeded to reel off victories over Jan-Lennard Struff, Facundo Diaz Acosta, Nishesh Basavareddy, Zizou Bergs, a red-hot Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard (a five-setter in round one at Melbourne Park), and Daniel Altmaier prior to his heroics against Fritz.

“The game plan was to hold the baseline and change the tempo, hit some big shots down the line and also use some shape,” Monfils said following Saturday’s match. “I did the job. We work hard and I try to be very disciplined with the recovery. I’m a strong believer that I can still do some damage and I have big trust in my team.

“As I always say, I keep playing for these matches (against) a big player, big stadium, good crowd, good energy. When you’re 38 years old, [that’s] what I want. I had it. I was very fortunate to win it. It’s exactly why I’m playing.”

Monfils could be playing for a while in Melbourne, because his section of the draw has been blown completely wide open. The other three remaining participants who are vying for a semifinal spot are Ben Shelton, Lorenzo Sonego, and Learner Tien. Shelton ousted Wimbledon semifinalist and Olympics bronze medalist Lorenzo Musetti; Sonego emerged from a section of the bracket that included Andrey Rublev and Joao Fonseca; Tien stunned three-time Aussie Open runner-up Daniil Medvedev in the second round.

Fourth-round action on Monday will see Monfils go up against Shelton, while Sonego faces Tien.