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 eased past American Marcos Giron 6-3 6-4 6-2 for his 10th consecutive win in Melbourne to reach the last-16 for the fourth consecutive year.
“I am very happy to be in the next round,” said Sinner, who takes on Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic or Danish 13th seed Holger Rune next.
“Every match has its own difficulties. Today I felt like 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 the percentage of my net game was not really good, but I try to improve, it’s part of the game.
“Sometimes I feel things a little bit better, sometimes worse, that’s normal. Trying to stay there mentally is the most important aspect. Hopefully in the next round I am able to raise my level, but I’m still very happy.”
Tien continues teenage revolution
Learner Tien became the youngest man to reach the fourth round at 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 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 ousted fifth seed Daniil Medvedev in the early hours of Friday morning but showed no signs of wear and tear from that five-set epic as he set up a clash with Lorenzo Sonego.
“It feels great, obviously,” said the Californian. “This exceeded my expectations coming into this week, you expect to win every match but to be in the second week is amazing.”
Monfils shocks Fritz to reach last 16 in Melbourne
Gael Monfils, 38, upset Taylor Fritz at the Australian Open
The future of men’s tennis has been on show at the Australian Open but Monfils struck a major blow for the old guard with victory over fourth seed Taylor Fritz.
Frenchman Monfils is only the second player aged 38 or over, after Roger Federer, to make the last 16 in Melbourne since 1988.
He is enjoying quite the start to 2025 after becoming the oldest winner of an ATP Tour singles title in Auckland last weekend.
Monfils followed that up by defeating 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 at a Grand Slam, with the first coming way back in 2008.
“It was an unbelievable match,” said Monfils. “I felt like I could move great today and the game plan was to hold my baseline. I’ve done the job. I’ve been fortunate but every day is different.
“We work hard. I try to be very disciplined with the 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.”
Wins for Michelsen and De Minaur
Monfils joins 37-year-old Novak Djokovic in the last 16, while, at the other end of the age spectrum, 20-year-old Alex Michelsen reached the fourth round at a major for the first time.
The American, who defeated 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 his favourite player to watch growing up was Monfils, who turned professional the year the American was born.
“The guy’s a pure athlete,” said Michelsen. “All the feel and circus shots. He was incredible. I still love watching him. I always love watching him. For sure my favourite guy.”
Alex de Minaur reached the fourth round for the fourth consecutive year with a 5-7 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 6-3 victory over Francisco Cerundolo.
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