Jubilant Monfils celebrates birthday with US Open win
France's Gael Monfils turned back the clock Tuesday, making the most of a US Open wild card and an adoring New York crowd to advance to the second round."You guys always make it electric, amazing," Monfils said in an on-court interview.
Gael Monfils, the French tennis player, turned 40 on Tuesday and celebrated his birthday by winning his first round match at the US Open against Adolfo Daniel Vallejo of Paraguay. The 311th-ranked Vallejo made his third appearance in this Grand Slam tournament. Monfils, who will retire at the end of the current season, secured a 2-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-0 victory, showcasing his familiar flair on court.
After the match, the New York crowd chanted "Happy Birthday" in his honor, to which Monfils responded, "You guys always make it electric, amazing. Let's keep it going for the second one." This marks Monfils' 18th appearance at the US Open, with his best performance coming in 2016 when he reached the semi-finals, losing to Novak Djokovic.
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- Gael Monfils wins on his 40th birthday at the US Open to extend his Grand Slam career winnipegfreepress.com
- Jubilant Monfils celebrates birthday with US Open win nst.com.my
- Fans serenade Monfils on his 40th birthday theage.com.au
- Fans serenade Monfils on his 40th birthday smh.com.au
