Monfils stopped in the fourth set against Shelton

The American Ben Shelton qualified for the quarterfinals of the Australian Open in a match where the real hero was the loser, the French Gael Monfilswho at 38 years old endured three tiebreakers and three hours of play and abandonmentpraised by the stadium, when he lost 7-6 (3), 6-7 (3), 7-6 (2) and 1-0.

Monfils showed the enthusiasm of a novice and the punches of an expert, but his strength failed. Nails seeming discomfort in one leg Finally they decided to leave the crash.

Shelton16 years younger, was in the top eight for the second time in Melbourneas in 2023. His next rival is the Italian Lorenzo Sonego.

The North American, 20th in the world, confirmed from the first moment that he will not have an easy game. He failed to win the entire opening set with any breaking balls and had to win the tiebreaker.

The second set was about to go to the French side, when Monfils (41) had 4-3 and 0-40but Shelton saved the danger and they finally played a new tie-break, which this time went to the oldest. The French didn’t want to give up while there was still gas left.

Although he did not hide his fatigue between points, while the ball was in play he offered his usual tennis, with accurate shots and a tremendous ability to find the lines. Shelton was unable to take advantage of his opponent’s physical deficiencies and lost the opportunity to attack him and decide before the bout..

After the third tiebreaker, this one clear for Shelton, Monfils went to the locker room. On his return, he lost serve in the first game and was down 40-0 in the second when he approached his team’s corner. After a brief exchange of impressions, He smiled as he waved goodbye to the referee and his rival, who asked the audience to give the charismatic French player a standing ovation..

Monfils became the oldest player to play in the round of 16 of the Open, after Swiss Roger Federer.