World No. 1 and defending champion Yannick Siner joined 38-year-old veteran Gael Monfils and American teenager Larry Thien in the fourth round of the Australian Open on Saturday.
Sinner fell to American Marcos Giron 6-3 6-4 6-2 for his 10th straight win in Melbourne and moved up to 16th for the fourth consecutive year.
“I’m very happy to be in the next round,” said Siner, who will next play Serbia’s Miomir Kecemanovic or Denmark’s 13th seed Holger Rune.
“Every match has its challenges. Today I felt he was very solid from the back of the court. I still have room to improve, but every win is great, especially in these conditions.
“My net percentage today wasn’t really good, but I’m trying to improve, it’s part of the game.
“Sometimes I feel a little better, sometimes worse, that’s normal. Mentally trying to stay there is the most important aspect. I hope I can raise my level in the next round, but I’m still very happy.”
Tien continues the teenage revolution
Thien, a student, became the youngest man to reach the fourth round of the Australian Open since Rafael Nadal in 2005.
elsewhere, TienThe 19-year-old beat France’s Corentin Moute 7-6 (12-10) 6-3 6-3 to continue his stunning run on his Australian Open debut to become the youngest man to reach the fourth round since Rafael Nadal in 2005.
The American dismissed fifth seed Daniil Medvedev in the early hours of Friday morning but showed no signs of wear from that five-set epic as he set up a clash with Lorenzo Sonego.
“Obviously it’s great,” the California native said.
Monfils shocks Fritz to reach final in Melbourne
Gael Monfils, 38, upset Taylor Fritz at the Australian Open
The future of men’s tennis was on display at the Australian Open, however My son delivered a major blow to the old guard with a win over fourth-seeded Taylor Fritz.
France’s Monfils is only the second player aged 38 or over to reach the last 16 in Melbourne since 1988, after Roger Federer.
He is enjoying the start of 2025 after becoming the oldest ATP Tour singles winner 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.
This is only the second time Monfils has beaten a top-five opponent at a Grand Slam, the first coming in 2008.
“It was an incredible match,” said Monfils. “I felt like I could move forward perfectly today and the game plan was to stick to my bottom line. I’ve been successful, but every day is different.
“We’re working hard. I’m trying to be very disciplined in my recovery, I’m confident I can still do some damage. Here we are in the second week of the Australian Open.”
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 for the first time in a major.
The American, who beat Stephanos Tsitsipas in the first round, had an impressive 6-3 7-6 (7-5) 6-2 win over 19th seed Karen Khachanov.
Michelsen revealed that his favorite player to watch was Monfils, who turned pro the year the American was born.
“The guy’s a pure athlete,” said Michelsen. “He’s been incredible. I’ve always loved watching him.”
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