World No 1 and defending champion Jannik Sinner joined 38-year-old veteran Gael Monfils and American teenager Learner Tien within the fourth spherical of the Australian Open on Saturday.
Sinner eased previous American Marcos Giron 6-3 6-4 6-2 for his tenth consecutive win in Melbourne to achieve the last-16 for the fourth consecutive yr.
“I’m very comfortable to be within the subsequent spherical,” mentioned Sinner, who takes on Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic or Danish thirteenth seed Holger Rune subsequent.
“Each match has its personal difficulties. Right now I felt like he was very stable from the again of the courtroom when he served nicely. I nonetheless have room to enhance, however each win is nice, particularly in these circumstances.
“Right now the share of my internet sport was not likely good, however I attempt to enhance, it is a part of the sport.
“Generally I really feel issues slightly bit higher, generally worse, that is regular. Making an attempt to remain there mentally is a very powerful facet. Hopefully within the subsequent spherical I’m able to elevate my degree, however I am nonetheless very comfortable.”
Tien continues teenage revolution
Learner Tien turned the youngest man to achieve the fourth spherical on the Australian Open since Rafael Nadal in 2005
Elsewhere, Tien, 19, took out hobbling Frenchman Corentin Moutet 7-6 (12-10) 6-3 6-3 to proceed his beautiful run on his Australian Open debut, changing into the youngest man to achieve the fourth spherical since Rafael Nadal in 2005.
The American ousted fifth seed Daniil Medvedev within the early hours of Friday morning however confirmed no indicators of wear and tear and tear from that five-set epic as he arrange a conflict with Lorenzo Sonego.
“It feels nice, clearly,” mentioned the Californian. “This exceeded my expectations coming into this week, you count on to win each match however to be within the second week is superb.”
Monfils shocks Fritz to achieve final 16 in Melbourne
Gael Monfils, 38, upset Taylor Fritz on the Australian Open
The way forward for males’s tennis has been on present on the Australian Open however Monfils struck a significant blow for the outdated guard with victory over fourth seed Taylor Fritz.
Frenchman Monfils is just the second participant aged 38 or over, after Roger Federer, to make the final 16 in Melbourne since 1988.
He’s having fun with fairly the begin to 2025 after changing into the oldest winner of an ATP Tour singles title in Auckland final weekend.
Monfils adopted that up by defeating US Open finalist Fritz 3-6 7-5 7-6 (7-1) 6-4, celebrating by dancing on Margaret Court docket Area to the delight of the Australian crowd.
It is just the second time Monfils has crushed a top-five opponent at a Grand Slam, with the primary coming approach again in 2008.
“It was an unbelievable match,” mentioned Monfils. “I felt like I may transfer nice in the present day and the sport plan was to carry my baseline. I’ve performed the job. I have been lucky however day-after-day is completely different.
“We work arduous. I attempt to be very disciplined with the restoration, I’ve a robust perception in myself and a robust perception that I can nonetheless do some harm. Right here we’re within the second week of the Australian Open.”
Wins for Michelsen and De Minaur
Monfils joins 37-year-old Novak Djokovic within the final 16, whereas, on the different finish of the age spectrum, 20-year-old Alex Michelsen reached the fourth spherical at a significant for the primary time.
The American, who defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas within the first spherical, was a formidable 6-3 7-6 (7-5) 6-2 winner in opposition to nineteenth seed Karen Khachanov.
Michelsen revealed his favorite participant to observe rising up was Monfils, who turned skilled the yr the American was born.
“The man’s a pure athlete,” mentioned Michelsen. “All the texture and circus photographs. He was unbelievable. I nonetheless love watching him. I at all times love watching him. For positive my favorite man.”
Alex de Minaur reached the fourth spherical for the fourth consecutive yr with a 5-7 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 6-3 victory over Francisco Cerundolo.
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