Australian Open: USA’s Taylor Fritz stunned by veteran Gaël Monfils, who ‘inspired’ wife Elina Svitolina to own upset win
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In a thrilling third-round match at the Australian Open, French tennis veteran Gaël Monfils delivered a stunning performance to defeat the USA’s fourth seed, Taylor Fritz, with a score of 3-6, 7-5, 7-6(1), 6-4. The match lasted three hours and eight minutes and was full of captivating moments, showcasing Monfils’ enduring skill and passion on the court.
At 38 years old, Monfils became the second-oldest male player, after Roger Federer, to reach the fourth round at Melbourne Park since the tournament moved there in 1988, according to the ATP. His victory came just hours before his wife, Elina Svitolina, pulled off an impressive win in her own third-round match, completing a dream day for the family. Svitolina, who was the 28th seed, triumphed over world No. 4, Jasmine Paolini, 2-6, 6-4, 6-0, after coming back from a set down. Monfils, who had just finished his match, watched from his wife’s player box, soaking in the moment of her victory.
“It was a crazy battle. I got inspired after my husband’s win,” Svitolina admitted. “I watched a little bit of that match, of course it was tough to miss.”
Monfils’ victory was sealed with a booming ace, his 24th of the match, and he celebrated in a way only he could—with an impromptu dance and a shimmy on court. His infectious smile and energetic celebration drew cheers from the crowd, a testament to his joy and the unique charisma he brings to the sport. Reflecting on the moment, Monfils explained, “I felt good. I felt in this moment I wanted to do that (dance), I wanted to be myself. It was my way to express my joy.”
Monfils, who is now ranked No. 41 in the world and a former world No. 6, displayed a near-perfect performance of skill, power, and strategy after initially losing the first set. Fritz struggled to cope with Monfils’ varied and unpredictable game, and Monfils’ serve was an especially dominant weapon. The victory marked an impressive start to Monfils’ 22nd season on the ATP tour. Just a week earlier, he won the ASB Classic in Auckland, becoming the oldest player ever to win an ATP Tour title.
Despite his remarkable start to 2025, Monfils played down expectations for his chances in the Australian Open. When asked if he believed he could win the title, Monfils responded with surprise: “Win? No. To be honest with you, it’s not even a dream to win the tournament. My dream is to be old with a lot of kids and healthy.” He humorously added, “That’s your dream, I guess, for me to win a slam. My dream is to have an unbelievable family. Tennis is cool, of course you want to have goals and dreams, but my dream is out there.”
Even though Fritz was eliminated, the U.S. still has a strong presence in the tournament. Monfils’ next challenge will come in the fourth round against American Ben Shelton on Monday. Other American players are also making waves in the tournament, including teenage qualifier Learner Tien. The 19-year-old made an impressive run, defeating France’s Corentin Moutet 7-6(10), 6-3, 6-3, and will face Lorenzo Sonego next. Tien had previously stunned fifth seed Daniil Medvedev in the second round.
Additionally, Ben Shelton, ranked No. 21, secured his spot in the fourth round with a hard-fought 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(5) win over Italy’s Lorenzo Muzetti. Unseeded American Alex Michelsen also pulled off an upset, defeating No. 19 seed Karen Khachanov 6-3, 7-6(5), 6-2.
In the women’s draw, Madison Keys advanced to the fourth round after defeating fellow American Danielle Collins 6-4, 6-4. Emma Navarro also continued her impressive run, beating Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 to move on.
Monfils’ victory, combined with his wife’s success, created a memorable day for the family. Despite his humble perspective on winning the Australian Open, his performance against Fritz, filled with skill, joy, and passion, left fans in awe. It was a reminder that for Monfils, the true reward lies in playing with love for the game and enjoying the moments on court with those he cares about.
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