Australian Open: The lost generation – from kings in waiting to princes out of favour | Tennis News
Gael Monfils, after years of injury-induced uncertainty had threatened to push his career to its finish line, slapped on the brakes at the Australian Open on Saturday. The in-form 38-year-old, who overtook Roger Federer as the oldest-ever ATP title winner in Auckland last week, defeated the rising fourth seed Taylor Fritz 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (1), 6-4 at the Margaret Court Arena in an entirely predictable upset. Credit where it is due, Monfils is putting together a phenomenal run which seemed unfathomable a few months ago. He is now one to watch in an open quarter of the draw. However, as an appraisal is made of Fritz’s early exit – on the heels of his run to reaching finals at the US Open and ATP Finals last year – there must be a review of his status as a serious contender too. For, consistency at lower-rated events may afford a higher ranking, but the solid-serving American’s baseline game has lacked the serious improvement required for him to take the big step at the biggest tennis tournaments …
