Gael Monfils records shock Australian Open win before wife Elina Svitolina's big match - ‘I warmed up the court for her’

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Gael Monfils caused another big upset in the men’s draw by beating world No. 4 Taylor Fritz to advance to the fourth round in Melbourne. The Frenchman, hot on the heels of his Auckland victory, won through 3-6 7-5 7-6(1) 6-4 to down the big-serving American. The joy for Monfils was clear to see as the 38-year-old danced in delight in front of the crowd in the wake of his victory.

'A Monfils masterclass' - French legend stuns Fritz in big upset

Video credit: TNT Sports

Gael Monfils is having quite the start to his 2025 season, the popular Frenchman making it through to the fourth round of the Australian Open after beating the No. 4 seed Taylor Fritz.

Monfils emerged a 3-6 7-5 7-6(1) 6-4 winner on Margaret Court Arena, before wowing the crowd with some dance moves as he celebrated his victory.

It’s his first win over an opponent ranked in the top five at a Grand Slam since 2008, when he beat David Ferrer at Roland-Garros.

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The Frenchman is known for being an exuberant player on court, and the manner of his victory was no different as he threw the kitchen sink at his opponent, using slice, spin, lobs and the like to disrupt Fritz’s rhythm.

"Taylor [Fritz] started strong, serving well and it was just one break," Monfils said afterwards.

"I felt like I could move great today, the game plan was to hold my baseline, and definitely change the tempo, hit some big shots down the line and use some shape with my forehand, some slice with my backhand and serve well.

"And I think I've done the job, I’ve done the job."

'I can still do some damage' - Monfils reacts to stunning upset win over Fritz

Video credit: TNT Sports

Monfils then joked he had "warmed up the court" for his wife Elina Svitolina, who is scheduled to play next on MCA. The Frenchman was pictured off court sharing a joke with his wife after the match, the duo clearly in high spirits following Monfils’ victory.

Like her husband, Svitolina also has a tough ask - playing Italian world No. 4 Jasmine Paolini.

"It will be tough for her [but] I hope she will take this one," added Monfils.

Melbourne has already been graced with plenty of supportive couples, with Alex de Minaur rushing to get to the stands when his fiancée Katie Boulter was playing earlier in the tournament, while Boulter herself was pictured asking for the TV feed in the player gym to be changed so she could watch De Minaur’s second-round match.

Fortunately for Monfils, he had plenty of time to complete his cool down before Svitolina took to the court, not that he would need it.

The Frenchman was keen to remind his physio that, despite being 38 years old, now is not the time to teach an old dog new tricks.

When asked about his recovery and how long he’ll spend in the ice bath, Monfils joked: "I will try two minutes maximum [in the ice bath]... It’s not for me so much!"

MONFILS HAS ‘MOMENTUM’

Eurosport expert John McEnroe was impressed with the way Monfils built his match against Fritz, the Frenchman’s tactics making all the difference against the big serving American.

"He is playing the best I’ve seen him play for some time," McEnroe said. "He had a brilliant strategic match.

"But he out-served Fritz, which I didn’t think I’d see. The guy is unbelievable. He managed the heat as well or better than Fritz, he had a great strategy, mixed up his pace. Absolutely fantastic, I can't believe he’s playing this well this late in his career.

"But as I pointed out earlier, for me he’s one of the three most talented players not to have won a slam, him, [Nick] Kyrgios and [Alexander] Zverev."

'A brilliant strategic match' - McEnroe hails Monfils' shock win against Fritz

Video credit: TNT Sports

Tim Henman agreed, but also believed the result was "disappointing" for Fritz who came into Melbourne off the back of making his maiden Slam final at last year’s US Open.

"It shows how good Monfils’ movement must have been, to run everything down and keep the ball in play. A huge effort from Monfils," Henman added.

Watch and stream the 2025 Australian Open live on Eurosport and discovery+

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