Australian Open: Taylor Fritz to Face Gael Monfils in Eye-Catching Third-Rounder
World No. 4 Taylor Fritz playing at the Australian Open. Melbourne Park, Australia. January 16, 2025. Photo credit: Peter Staples/ATP Tour.

Fourth seed Taylor Fritz will play in-form Frenchman Gael Monfils in the third round at the Australian Open after a straightforward win over Chilean qualifier Christian Garin on Thursday at Margaret Court Arena.

World No. 4 Taylor Fritz, who last season reached the quarterfinals at the Australian Open, set up an intriguing third-round clash against Frenchman Gael Monfils after cruising past qualifier Cristian Garin with a 6-2, 6-1, 6-0 victory in just 82 minutes at Melbourne Park.

The American No. 1 racquet made a flying start to his campaign Down Under, losing only eight games through his first two matches, yet to drop a set.

Clinical behind his powerful serve, the US Open runner-up won 80 percent of first-serve points against Garin.

Following his second-round contest, he expressed: “I played well in the first round too, so I am high in confidence going into the third round.”

Earlier, world No. 41 Monfils overpowered German Daniel Altmaier 7-5, 6-3, 7-6(3) in two hours and 19 minutes.

Moreover, by continuing his relentless run at the major, he achieved a new career milestone as the fourth man with the most appearances in Grand Slam third-rounders (39) among active players, an elite club led by 24-time major winner Novak Djokovic with 72.

Showcasing his outstanding athleticism, the Parisian native prevailed in five sets over No. 30 seed Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, a marathon all-French duel opening round shy of four hours.

Fritz spent less time on court in two matches than the former world No. 6 did in that single contest, being 11 years his junior.

On a seven-match winning streak, the reigning ASB Classic champion now prepares to meet a player delivering his A-game, fresh from capturing the United Cup title with Team USA.

I’ve been fortunate at the beginning of the season,” Monfils said. “I felt the body good, and I was hitting good. I’m just surfing on the moment.”

At age 38 and with two decades competing on tour, the 13-time ATP titlist is taking his game to a new level.

Sliding from side to side of the court when needed or moving forward to cover the net, neutralizing his opponents with his sharp reflexes, Monfils makes anyone watching forget his age while amusing the crowd, generating tricky shots, damaging his adversaries with his forehand.

Fritz leads the French player 1-0 in their series, an edgy match he won at the AO in 2019.

Both are very different players than they were back then; Fritz’s overall game evolved notably.

As a result, the 27-year-old is coming off his best year at tour level, becoming one of the favorites to go the distance on Australian soil.

Furthermore, the California-born said after his match that he is donating his first-round prize money at the AO, about $82,000, to relief funds in Los Angeles, helping people affected by the wildfires in the area.

I feel like it’s the least I can do,” he asserted. “Cal has been my home forever. I still spend a lot of time in LA, but I lived in LA for quite a while. I have friends impacted; family not so much. I had some family have to evacuate.”

A lot of people are affected by it. I feel like if you’re in a place to help, then you should.”

Cecilia demartini
Sports Pundit staff writer @ceci_2812
Cecilia is a writer and journalist, passionate about motorsport and tennis.Her articles are published in newspapers and international online publications.

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