Gael Monfils claimed his 13th ATP title in Auckland. The Frenchman played in his 35th ATP final and ousted Belgium's Zizou Bergs 6-3, 6-4 in an hour and 37 minutes, lifting a trophy and writing history books.
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At 38 years and four months, Gael became the third-oldest ATP champion in the Open era, joining Pancho Gonzales and Ken Rosewall on the exclusive list. Also, Monfils is the oldest champion on the ATP Toour (since 1990), taking the record away from Roger Federer.
The Frenchman served at 55% and drew the most from that. Gael defended all six break points, keeping his serve intact in the semi-final and final despite playing against 11 break chances! Bergs missed his opportunities and paid the price.
The Belgian dropped 38% of the points in his games and experienced one break in each set, settling for the runner-up prize. Monfils dominated with his first serve and outplayed the younger opponent in the pivotal moments to secure his first ATP trophy since Stockholm 2023.
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The veteran served well in the opener and kept the pressure on the other side. He clinched an early break in the second game after Bergs' careless forehand, building an early advantage. The Frenchman landed a forehand winner in the third game, cementing the break and moving 3-0 up.
Struggling to impose his strokes, Zizou facedanother challenging service game. The Belgian saved two break points in the fourth game and held to get his name to the scoreboard. Gael left those chances behind and closed the fifth game with a service winner for 4-1.
The veteran grabbed the seventh game with a volley winner and served for the opener at 5-3. Gael wrapped up a flawless set with a hold at love after a forced error, hoping for more in set number two. Bergs squandered game points at 1-1.
He netted a forehand, losing serve and falling a set and a break behind. Monfils held at love for 3-1, sailing toward the top. Suddenly, the veteran experienced three break points in the sixthgame. Zizou missed a forehand on two, squandering his chances to erase the deficit.
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The Frenchman closed the eighth game with a service winner and served for victory at 5-4. The Belgian made one last push and earned three break points. Gael saved two with service winners, and Zizou missed a massive opportunity on the third.
Monfils earned a match point after a routine forehand error from his rival and seized it when Bergs placed another forehand into the net, celebrating his first ATP title in almost a year and a half.
