He’s one of the greatest showmen in the history of our sport, and he’s not done electrifying crowds. Gael Monfils – man, myth, legend and still a wunderkind – gave the Montreal faithful plenty to cheer about on Monday night as he defeated Kamil Majchrzak 6-4 6-4 to become the second oldest man to win a match in tournament history.
“I felt like I played well, I was serving really good,” Monfils said. “I’m super happy that I got through.”
Monfils, making his 15th appearance at the Canadian Masters, will take on Learner Tien in the second round. He had not won a match on tour since Monte-Carlo.
Majchrzak closed from double break 5-2 down to 5-4, saving a match point while serving at 3-5, but Monfils was able to close with a love hold.
“Of course nerves came,” Monfils said. “To be honest I played so many matches like this in my career, you just try to delete, the momentum shifted and I was there.”
The Frenchman, who will turn 40 on September 1st, now has 146 Masters 1000 victories to his name. And counting.