40-Year-Old Gael Monfils Equals Historic Jimmy Connors Record as Alexander Zverev Survives Epic Five-Set Thriller

• by Akanksha Mishra
• 2026-09-04 16:51:00

History was rewritten on the hard courts of Flushing Meadows as the US Open delivered high drama, milestone records, and sensational comebacks. Celebrating his 40th birthday in grand style, French tennis icon Gael Monfils etched his name alongside American legend Jimmy Connors by securing a dominant victory. Meanwhile, top seed Alexander Zverev stared down early elimination before staging a heroic escape in a grueling, four-hour-and-fifty-three-minute marathon against Lorenzo Sonego.

Gael Monfils Marks 40th Birthday With Historic Win to Equal Jimmy Connors

It was a night to remember for veteran showman Gael Monfils, who celebrated turning 40 by turning back the clock on Tuesday, September 1. Overcoming a shaky start against 22-year-old Paraguayan qualifier Adolfo Daniel Vallejo, Monfils dropped the first set before roaring back to claim a resounding 2-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-0 victory.

By winning his main draw singles match at age 40, Monfils equaled the legendary milestone set by Jimmy Connors, who famously defeated Brazil's Jaime Oncins on his 40th birthday at Flushing Meadows back in 1992. Greeted by a chorus of birthday chants from the roaring crowd, an emotional Monfils remarked post-match that playing and winning in such an electric atmosphere on his milestone birthday was an unforgettable experience.

Alexander Zverev Survives a Five-Set Epic Against Lorenzo Sonego

While Monfils cruised through the latter half of his match, top seed Alexander Zverev was pushed to the absolute brink by unseeded Italian fighter Lorenzo Sonego. In a mesmerizing contest that spanned four hours and 53 minutes, Zverev found himself trailing and just two points away from defeat at 4-5 down in the fourth set.

Displaying nerves of steel, the German star regained tactical control, turning the tide to edge out Sonego in a thrilling 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(7), 7-5, 6-4 battle. Elsewhere in the men's draw, fifth seed Flavio Cobolli completed a stunning comeback from two sets down to defeat Francisco Comesaña 3-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4, while 13th seed Lorenzo Musetti and American star Taylor Fritz advanced comfortably in straight sets.

Elena Rybakina Shakes Off Injury Concerns as Mirra Andreeva and Madison Keys Advance

In the women's singles division, second seed Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan silenced injury doubts with a commanding 6-3, 6-2 victory over American wildcard Thea Frodin. Having dealt with a foot injury since Cincinnati, Rybakina put any fitness concerns to rest with a clinical display on court, halting the Grand Slam debut of Frodin—who famously portrayed a young Serena Williams in a biographical film.

In other women's encounters, fifth seed Mirra Andreeva cruised past Indonesia's Janice Jen 6-2, 6-2, and American powerhouse Madison Keys overcame a spirited challenge from Russia's Alina Korneeva 7-5, 6-4 to move safely into the next round.

Previous Post

The board intends to appoint the banned player as captain, who will take charge in ODIs and T20Is

Next Post

Elena Rybakina Opens Up on Grand Slam Success, US Open Goals, and Overcoming Fatigue