Monfils beats Mpetshi Perricard to advance to the second round of the Australian Open

The long-awaited 100% French clash in the first round of the Australian Open pitted Gaël Monfils against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.

Both men arrive in Melbourne full of confidence. Mpetshi Perricard, whose 2024 season brought him into the public eye, was seeded 30 for the tournament.

For his part, Monfils has been on a winning streak in Auckland, claiming the 13th title of his career in New Zealand.

Ready to go from strength to strength, the 41st ranked player in the world played against his friend in a bid to reach the second round.

In a match that was close but long in the older player's favor, Monfils thought he had wrapped things up quickly when he had two match points in the third set.

But Mpetshi Perricard held on and took his opponent into a long match.

In the end, in a match where only Monfils had break points (2 converted out of 12), experience made the difference.

Gaël Monfils, author of 18 aces and 16 double-faults, finally had the last word (7-6, 6-3, 6-7, 6-7, 6-4 in 3h46). He will meet Daniel Altmaier or Francisco Comesana in the next round.