ATP Auckland: Monfils becomes oldest tournament winner on tour since 1977

French veteran Gael Monfils defeated Belgian qualifier Zizou Bergs 6-3, 6-4 to win the ASB Classic title in Auckland on Saturday.

This was the 13th career ATP singles title for the Frenchman, his first since Stockholm in 2023 and comes 20 years after he claimed his first title in 2005. It also made him the oldest male player to win a title on the men’s tour since 43-year-old Ken Rosewall won the Hong Kong title in 1977.

Prior to his win today, Monfils, ranked No 52 in the world, defeated Spaniard Pedro Martinez (1-6, 7-6 (5), 6-3), German Jan-Lennard Struff (6-1, 7-6 (5)), Argentinian lucky loser Facundo Diaz Acosta (6-3, 6-1) and American qualifier Nishesh Basavareddy (7-6 (5), 6-4). In that first round against Martinez, the Frenchman had to come from 6-1, 5-2 down to win in three sets.

Bergs, ranked No 66, came through qualifying and then defeated Kiwi wildcard Isaac Becroft (6-3, 7-5), Italian qualifier Luca Nardi (6-1, 6-4), Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena (1-6, 6-2, 6-3) and Portuguese Nuno Borges, the No 7 seed (6-2, 3-6, 7-5) in the previous rounds of the tournament. This was the first ATP level final for the 25-year-old.

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