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 overcame American Marcos Giron 6-3 6-4 6-2 for his 10th straight win in Melbourne to reach the last 16 for the fourth consecutive year.
“I’m very happy to be in the next round,” said Sinner, who will face either Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic or Danish 13th seed Holger Rune.
“Every match has its own difficulties. Today I felt he was very solid from the back of the court when he served well. I still have room for improvement, but every win is great, especially in these conditions.
“Today my clean sheet percentage wasn’t very good, but I’m trying to improve, it’s part of the game.
“Sometimes I feel things a little better, sometimes worse, that’s normal. Trying to stay there mentally is the most important aspect. Hopefully in the next round I can raise my level, but I’m still very happy. “
Tien continues the teenage revolution
Learner Tien became the youngest man to reach the fourth round at the Australian Open since Rafael Nadal in 2005.
Elsewhere, ThienThe 19-year-old overcame France’s Corentin Moutte 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-set Daniil Medvedev in the early hours of Friday but showed no signs of wear from that five-set saga as he set up a clash with Lorenzo Sonego.
“I feel great, obviously,” the Californian said. “That exceeded my expectations coming into this week, you expect to win every game but to be in week two is amazing.”
Monfils shocks Fritz to reach 16 in Melbourne
38-year-old Gael Monfils upset Taylor Fritz at the Australian Open
The future of men’s tennis can be seen at the Australian Open but my son dealt a major blow to the old guard with a win over fourth seed Taylor Fritz.
Frenchman Monfils is only the second player aged 38 or over, after Roger Federer, to reach 16 in Melbourne since 1988.
He is enjoying quite the start to 2025 after becoming the oldest winner of an ATP Tour title in Auckland last weekend.
Monfils followed that up by beating 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 just the second time Monfils has beaten a top-five opponent in a Grand Slam, the first coming in 2008.
“It was an incredible match,” Monfils said. “I felt like I could move great today and the game plan was to keep my baseline. I did the work. I was lucky, but every day is different.
“We’re working hard. I’m trying 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 is joined by 37-year-old Novak Djokovic at 16, while, at the other end of the age spectrum, 20-year-old Alex Michelsen reached the fourth round in a major for the first time.
The American, who defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in the first round, won an impressive 6-3 7-6 (7-5) 6-2 against 19th seed Karen Khachanov.
Michelsen revealed that his favorite player to watch growing up was Monfils, who turned pro the year the American was born.
“The guy is a pure athlete,” Michelsen said. “The whole feel and the circus footage. He was incredible. I still love watching him. I always love watching him. Definitely my favorite 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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