MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Gael Monfils joined Roger Federer as the only men to reach the Australian Open’s fourth round at age 38 or older since the tournament field expanded to 128 players in 1988, coming back to beat No. 4 seed Taylor Fritz 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (1), 6-4 on Saturday.
And after that win, Monfils returned to Margaret Court Arena and sat in the stands to watch his wife, Elina Svitolina, eliminate the women’s No. 4 seed, two-time major finalist Jasmine Paolini 2-6, 6-4, 6-0 at night.
“I warmed up the court for her,” Monfils said with a smile.
Her take?
“I got inspired after my husband’s win,” Svitolina said. “I watched a little bit.”
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After punctuating his victory with a 134 mph (215 kph) ace — his 24th of the afternoon, doubling Fritz’s total — Monfils did a celebratory dance at the baseline while thousands of fans roared, many waving red-white-and-blue French flags.
