March 19, 2025
Gael Monfils made history on Wednesday at the Miami Open presented by Itau, where he became the second-oldest man to win a match at the ATP Masters 1000 event after Jimmy Connors.
The 38-year-old Frenchman overcame last year’s quarter-finalist Fabian Marozsan 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 to reach the second round in Florida after one hour and 44 minutes.
“I hit some different angles and showed I could run and anticipate,” Monfils said. “I made it hard [for him]. I hit with a bit more depth in my shots and did not let him dictate and I think I did well.”
In a high-quality display, Monfils struck 38 winners and committed 18 unforced errors to clinch victory and level his Lexus ATP Head2Head series with Marozsan at 1-1. The No. 46 in the PIF ATP Rankings, who is making his 13th appearance in Miami, will next meet Jiri Lehecka.
ATP No. 1 Club member Connors is the oldest man to win a match in Miami, having done so at 39 in 1992.
Nick Kyrgios recorded his first ATP Tour win since 2022 by rallying past American qualifier Mackenzie McDonald 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in one hour, 42 minutes.
The 29-year-old, who has been hampered by foot and wrist injuries during an 18-month period, returned to action at the start of the year.
“It’s been a long journey,” said Kyrgios, the seven-time ATP Tour champion. “Even to just get to the start line of matches and be scared to just finish them… But to come off and get a win, feeling like I belong again, is pretty special.
“The way my wrist has pulled up the last six months hasn’t been great. Having a win against Mackie before gave me experience to draw from, but he’s so tricky, he definitely caught me off guard. I walked on the court and I wasn’t used to that ball speed again.”
Kyrgios was forced to retire from his opener in Indian Wells earlier this month, but the Australian played freely, striking 35 winners, including 14 aces, to improve to 2-1 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head series with McDonald. Next up for Kyrgios in Miami is a second-round meeting with 22nd seed Karen Khachanov.
Earlier, Alexander Bublik clinched his maiden tour-level win on outdoor courts in 2025. The 27-year-old overcame Sebastian Baez 6-3, 6-4 to record his first victory in Miami since 2022.
Bublik, who advanced to the quarter-finals in Florida in 2021, won 88 per cent (30/34) of his first-serve points against Baez, according to Infosys ATP Stats, in the pair’s first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting. Bublik will next meet Tommy Paul.
David Goffin eliminated Aleksandar Vukic 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 to set a second-round clash with second seed Carlos Alcaraz. The 34-year-old Belgian is a former semi-finalist (2016) at the ATP Masters 1000.
Rinky Hijikata defeated Hamad Medjedovic 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 and will next take on Novak Djokovic. Australian qualifier Tristan Schoolkate cruised past American Ethan Quinn 6-0, 6-2 and will play Felix Auger-Aliassime in the second round.
© Copyrights Sixsports. All Rights Reserved.