Jubilant Monfils celebrates birthday with US Open win
NEW YORK: 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.
New York - French tennis star Gael Monfils celebrated his 40th birthday in style on Tuesday, defeating Paraguay's Adolfo Daniel Vallejo in straight sets during a US Open wild card tournament. The crowd in attendance, clearly enamored with the occasion, chanted "Happy Birthday" after the match. Monfils, who is retiring after this season, displayed his signature flair, bowing enthusiastically and adding an aerial leap to a key shot in the fourth set.
The victory was Monfils' 18th at the US Open; his best result, however, was reaching the semi-finals in 2016. Currently ranked 311th, Monfils has only played a few matches this year, in stark contrast to Vallejo, a 22-year-old playing in his third Grand Slam tournament.
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- Monfils celebrates 40th birthday with special US Open win sports.yahoo.com
- Gael Monfils wins on his 40th birthday at the US Open to extend his Grand Slam career winnipegfreepress.com
- Monfils celebrates 40th birthday with special US Open win bbc.co.uk
- Fans serenade Monfils on his 40th birthday theage.com.au
- Fans serenade Monfils on his 40th birthday smh.com.au
