Forty years old, and a comeback out of nowhere
Gael Monfils turned 40 overnight at Louis Armstrong Stadium. The first set went badly, 6-2 to Adolfo Daniel Vallejo, and then the match stopped resembling itself. Monfils won the next three 6-1, 6-2, 6-0.
Thirty-seven winners. The full catalogue of tricks, including the airborne smashes that empty seats and fill aisles. The crowd sang Happy Birthday. He gave them plenty back.
“It was really special to play on my 40th birthday,” he said afterwards. “You always make it electric. The atmosphere is incredible. I feel good here.”
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A mark untouched since Connors
Monfils is now the oldest man to win a US Open match since Jimmy Connors beat Jaime Oncins on September 2, 1992. Connors was 40 that day as well. Thirty-four years sit between the two wins.
This is his 18th and last trip to New York. The former world number six retires at the end of the 2026 season, so every win at Flushing Meadows from here is on borrowed time.
Svitolina in the stands, Tien waiting
Elina Svitolina watched from the box. The pair made the mixed doubles semi-finals last week and she plays her own match on Wednesday. Monfils gave away what was in the gift box: a watch.
“I think she plays tomorrow, so it’s nice of her to stay here,” he said.
Round two will be less of a party. Learner Tien, the Next Gen ATP Finals champion, beat Monfils in three sets in Montreal last month and then asked him for an autograph. The American is 20. Twenty years between them, one result to answer, and a crowd that will not need much encouragement.
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