Record breakers in Melbourne: Tien, Monfils, Lys shine in historic day

Madrid, Jan 18 (EFE).– It was a day to remember at the Australian Open, with Learner Tien becoming the youngest to reach the fourth round since Rafael Nadal in 2005 and Gael Monfils defying age to tie French records and make history.

American Learner Tien, 19, a qualifier, continued his dream run by defeating France’s Corentin Moutet 7-6 (10), 6-3, 6-3, after earlier ousting fifth-seed Daniil Medvedev in a five-set thriller.

Gael Monfils of France kisses his wife Elina Svitolina of Ukraine following her round three win over Jasmine Paolini of Italy at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 18 January 2025 EFE-EPA/JAMES ROSS AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT

Gael Monfils made his mark as the second-oldest player, at 38, to reach the Round of 16, trailing only Roger Federer.

Monfils stunned fourth-seed Taylor Fritz 3-6, 7-5, 7-6, 6-4, equaling Jo-Wilfried Tsonga’s record for Frenchmen with 37 Australian Open victories.

He also set another milestone, becoming the oldest player to defeat a top-5 seed at this slam.

Gael Monfils of France celebrates match point during his round three win over Taylor Fritz of USA in the 2025 Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 18 January 2025. EFE-EPA/JAMES ROSS AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT

Australia’s Alex de Miñaur achieved a personal breakthrough by defeating a seeded player, Argentina’s Francisco Cerúndolo (31), 5-7, 7-6 (3), 6-3, 6-3, to secure his first fourth-round appearance in Melbourne.

He faces 20-year-old American Alex Michelsen next, highlighting a clash of emerging talent.

German Eva Lys made history as the first player to reach the Round of 16 from the qualifying re-entry system since the tournament moved to Melbourne Park.

After being called back as a “lucky loser,” Lys stunned Romanian Jaqueline Cristian 4-6, 6-3, 6-3. She will face second-seed Iga Swiatek in her next challenge.

In women’s action, American Emma Navarro celebrated her first Round of 16 appearance by defeating Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.

Navarro’s next opponent, ninth-seed Daria Kasatkina, also reached this stage for the first time in Melbourne.

Eva Lys of Germany celebrates during her Women’s round 3 match against Jaqueline Cristian of Romania at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 18 January 2025. EFE-EPA/ROLEX DELA PENA

Round of 16 Lineup

Men’s Singles:

Jannik Sinner (1) vs. Holger Rune

Alex de Miñaur (8) vs. Alex Michelsen

Gael Monfils vs. Ben Shelton (21)

Lorenzo Sonego vs. Learner Tien

Alejandro Davidovich vs. Tommy Paul (12)

Carlos Alcaraz (3) vs. Jack Draper (15)

Alexander Zverev (2) vs. Ugo Humbert (14)

Novak Djokovic (7) vs. Jiri Lehecka (24)

Women’s Singles:

Aryna Sabalenka (1) vs. Mirra Andreeva (14)

Donna Vekic (18) vs. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova

Coco Gauff (3) vs. Belinda Bencic

Paula Badosa (11) vs. Olga Danilovic

Elena Rybakina (6) vs. Madison Keys (19)

Veronika Kudermetova vs. Elina Svitolina (28)

Emma Navarro (8) vs. Daria Kasatkina (9)

Eva Lys vs. Iga Swiatek (2)