Gael Monfils celebrated his 40th birthday on Tuesday at the US Open, defeating Adolfo Daniel Vallejo 2-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-0 to reach the second round in New York. The veteran French player became the oldest man to win a main-draw singles match at Flushing Meadows since Jimmy Connors in 1992.
Gael Monfils Marks 40th Birthday With US Open Win
Most players winding down their professional careers might mark a milestone birthday far away from a Grand Slam pressure cooker. Gael Monfils chose a different path playing in the final major of his career at Flushing Meadows. The former world number six, who announced last year that he will retire at the end of this season, shrugged off a sluggish start against his Paraguayan opponent, Adolfo Daniel Vallejo, before storming through the next three sets to secure a 2-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-0 victory.
The win kept his farewell Grand Slam campaign alive on a day marked with rain interruptions and on-court drama. Monfils stepped onto Louis Armstrong Stadium just a day after fellow veteran Stan Wawrinka played the final Grand Slam match of his career, proving he was not quite ready to exit the stage alongside his contemporary.
Crowd Reaction and a Historic Milestone in New York
The New York audience delivered a memorable scene after the match concluded. While there was no cake waiting on the court, thousands of fans burst into an impromptu rendition of “Happy Birthday” midway through his post-victory speech, creating a celebratory atmosphere on Louis Armstrong Stadium.
Monfils also stepped into the record books. By closing out the match, he became the oldest player to win a main-draw singles match at Flushing Meadows since Jimmy Connors defeated Jaime Oncins on his 40th birthday in 1992.
“The atmosphere [in New York] is always electric – I feel great here. I always try to play great tennis and put on a great show.”
Gael Monfils, via BBC
Reflecting on the milestone moment, the 2016 US Open semi-finalist stated: To play on my 40th birthday is very special, before adding that the fans made it incredible. Addressing the crowd directly during his on-court remarks, Monfils added, You guys rock – let’s keep it up for the second round. He also noted, You guys made it electric, the atmosphere was unbelievable. I tried to put on a great show for you.
Broad Progress for Seeds and Contenders in the Opening Round
Monfils was not the only prominent name forced to dig deep during a chaotic opening round. Fifth-seeded Flavio Cobolli mounted a dramatic comeback against Argentina’s Francisco Comesana, rallying from two sets down for the first time in his career to win 3-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 after shaking off an erratic start.
The four-hour, 13-minute marathon tested the Italian runner-up who reached the final at the French Open this year against Alexander Zverev, with Zverev opening his own bid for another title against Lorenzo Sonego in the nightcap on Ashe. After dropping to his knees and raising his arms in celebration following a blistering forehand volley that sealed the final game, Cobolli remarked on the difficulty of the opening match where he saved all eight break points he faced in the third set and dominated the fourth.
“In a Grand Slam it’s never done. You have to fight to the last point.”
Flavio Cobolli, via Thehindu
American Men Advance Amid Home Expectations
Taylor Fritz experienced a much smoother opener, relying on his powerful serve to defeat 18-year-old wildcard Darwin Blanch 6-3, 6-2, 6-4. The American finalist from 2024 struck 14 aces and sealed the victory with an unreturnable serve to set up a second-round clash against Mattia Bellucci of Italy.
Fritz admitted that carrying the expectations of top-tier American men trying to end a 23-year Grand Slam title drought on home soil brings natural tension.
“As a top American, you have a lot of expectations. It’s normal to be nervy.”
Photo: BBC
Taylor Fritz, via Thehindu
Fritz added regarding the team’s mindset: And when I saw Ben’s first set, like, just makes me feel like, yeah, if it happens, it happens. He regrouped and won the match pretty routinely afterwards, and it kind of gave me the reassurance, hey, if I come out nervy, play a bad first set, no need to panic. The American contingent at Flushing Meadows also saw Frances Tiafoe survive a five-set thriller and Ben Shelton recover after dropping an opening set earlier in the week, easing some of the pressure on the home favorites as the second round approaches.
