Gael Monfils made history by becoming the oldest winner of an ATP Tour singles
title at the ASB Classic in Auckland.
The 38-year-old Frenchman, who won his first tour crown 20 years ago, defeated Zizou Bergs 6-3 6-4 in the final.
He surpasses Roger Federer, who won his final title in Basel in 2019, as the oldest champion since the ATP Tour was formed in 1990. Federer was two months younger at the time than Monfils is now.
He is also the oldest man to win a tour-level singles title since 43-year-old Australian Ken Rosewall in Hong Kong in 1977.
“Big satisfaction,” said Monfils, who is ranked 52nd.
“It’s very special having this 13th title. I don’t win a lot. It’s been more than 20 years I’ve been playing and it’s just 13 times I ended up winning.”
On his place in history, the former top-10 star added: “It’s a different record.
“You’re always pleased to have a record but I want to do more, I want to play a little bit more, so why not win a little bit later on.”
Monfils will take on compatriot Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, who is 17 years his junior, in the first round of the Australian Open.
WTA 500: Keys impresses despite injury to beat Pegula in Adelaide
At the WTA 500 in Adelaide, Madison Keys claimed the ninth title of her career by beating compatriot and number one seed Jessica Pegula in three sets.
Keys won the all-American final 6-3 4-6 6-1 to complete the perfect preparation for the Australian Open despite battling a leg injury which forced an off-court medical timeout in the second set.
Madison Keys is a two-time semi-finalist at the Australian Open
After Keys had won the first set in routine fashion, Pegula, the world No 7, levelled the match after taking the first three games of the second before her opponent left the court to receive medical attention.
But despite returning with her left leg strapped up and duly losing the second set, Keys impressively dominated the deciding set – winning the last five games – to claim her second title in Adelaide in four years.
Keys now plays another American, Ann Li, in the first round of the Australian Open on Tuesday, while Pegula faces Australian teenage hopeful Maya Joint.
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