Mpetshi Perricard on Monfils: "Gaël did some incredible things, sometimes I thought he wasn't 38".

Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard lost to Gaël Monfils in the first round of the Australian Open, 7-6, 6-3, 6-7, 6-7, 6-4.

In comments relayed by L'Équipe, he had this to say about his opponent of the day: "I knew he defended very well, and it showed.

He fired a couple of passes at me, and I looked at Manu (Emmanuel Planque, his coach) and wondered how it was possible.

Gaël did some incredible things. Sometimes, on the bench at changeovers, I thought he wasn't 38.

Physically, I don't think he's 38. I pretty much knew what he was going to do: make me play balls, make passes.

When you don't kill the point, he's there, bringing it back again. As for us forwards, we don't really like it when the guy defends very well and gives you complicated balls to play.

He's quite precise with his first shots, he served well and he really got in my way. He won, and I can only congratulate him.