World No. 1 and defending champion Jannik Sinner joined 38-year-old veteran Gael Monfils and American teenager Learner Tien in the fourth round of the Australian Open on Saturday.
Sinner cruised past American Marcos Giron 6-3 6-4 6-2 for his 10th straight win in Melbourne to reach the last 16 for the fourth consecutive year.
“I’m very happy to be in the next round,” said Sinner, who will next face Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic or 13th-seeded Dane Holger Rune.
“Each match has its own difficulties. Today I felt he was very solid from the back of the court when he served well. I still have room to improve, but every win is great, especially in these conditions.
“Today my net percentage was not very good, but I try to improve, it’s part of the game.
“Sometimes I feel things a little better, sometimes worse, that’s normal. Trying to stay there mentally is the most important aspect. I hope that in the next round I can raise my level, but I’m still very happy. “
Tien continues the teenage revolution
somewhere else, YoursThe 19-year-old beat Frenchman Corentin Moutet 7-6 (12-10) 6-3 6-3 to continue his stunning run on his Australian Open debut, becoming the youngest man to reach the fourth round since Rafael Nadal in 2005.
The American knocked out fifth seed Daniil Medvedev in the early hours of Friday morning but showed no sign of wear from the five-set epic as he set up a clash with Lorenzo Sonego.
“It feels good, of course,” said the Californian. “It exceeded my expectations coming into this week, you expect to win every game but to be in week two is great.”
Monfils shocks Fritz to reach the last 16 in Melbourne
Gael Monfils, 38, upset Taylor Fritz at the Australian Open
The future of men’s tennis has emerged at the Australian Open, but my son delivered a major blow to the old guard with a win over fourth seed Taylor Fritz.
Frenchman Monfils is only the second player aged 38 and over, after Roger Federer, to reach the last 16 in Melbourne since 1988.
He is enjoying a strong start to 2025 after becoming the oldest winner of an ATP Tour singles title in Auckland last weekend.
Monfils followed that up by beating US Open finalist Fritz 3-6 7-5 7-6 (7-1) 6-4, celebrating by dancing on Margaret Court Arena to the delight of the Australian crowd.
It is only the second time Monfils has beaten a top-five opponent in a Grand Slam, with the first coming in 2008.
“It was an incredible match,” said Monfils. “I felt like I could move well today and the game plan was to hold my base. I have done the work. I’ve been lucky, but every day is different.
“We work hard. I try to be very disciplined with recovery, I have a strong belief in myself and a strong belief that I can still do some damage. Here we are in the second week of the Australian Open.”
Monfils joins 37-year-old Novak Djokovic at 16, while, on the other end of the age spectrum, the 20-year-old. Alex Michelsen reached the fourth round in a major for the first time.
The American, who beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in the first round, was an impressive 6-3 7-6 (7-5) 6-2 winner against 19th seed Karen Khachanov.
Michelsen revealed that his favorite player growing up was Monfils, who turned pro the year the American was born.
“The guy is a pure athlete,” Michelsen said. “All the feels and sights of the circus. He was incredible. I still love watching him. I always love watching him. Definitely my favorite guy.”
Watch the ATP and WTA Tours, as well as the US Open, live on Sky Sports in 2025 or stream NOW and via the Sky Sports app.
