Veteran Monfils powers past teenager to reach 35th final / Photo: Patrick HAMILTON - AFP
-
Lula, Bolsonaro in final push for votes ahead of knife-edge election
-
South Korea lift gloom with smash-and-grab Games football gold
-
Boisterous fashion week barnstorms 'sleepy' Nigerian capital
-
Ireland news conference before Israel game cut short amid tensions
-
UAE investigators say flydubai co-pilot was planning 'terrorist act'
-
Protests over housing flare in Spain after relief measures rejected
-
Rahul smacks century in India v Windies ODI
-
Zverev thrashes Shang to set up Djokovic quarter-final at China Open
-
Daryz seeks to join exclusive club of dual Arc winners
-
Turkey football ref chief jailed pending trial for graft
-
Russia warns diplomats to leave Kyiv over new strikes threat
-
North Korea says test of intermediate-range strategic missile included use of AI
-
Olympic champ Zheng rebukes rowdy home crowd at China Open
-
Rampant Sayers leads Hong Kong to third men's rugby gold in a row
-
World No.1 Sinner pulls out of Shanghai Masters to delay return
-
Ethiopia's Tigray rebels abandon regional capital as govt advances
-
Red Bull's Verstappen grabs pole position for Bahrain GP
-
Bulgaria's Tsar Samuel returns 'home' after 1,000 years
-
India beat Pakistan in blockbuster as golfer Kim wins 'crazy' gold
-
'Glad it's over': Kim powers to Games gold and military exemption
-
India beat arch-rivals Pakistan to win Asian Games cricket gold
-
After 11 World Cups, football finally comes home for one Indian fan
-
Ethiopia's Tigray rebels abandon regional capital as govt advances: journalist
-
Marc Marquez wins sprint at Japan MotoGP, Martin grabs pole
-
Tom Kim powers to Games gold and exemption from military service
-
Alcaraz fends off Arnaldi to reach Japan Open quarters
-
Split loyalties for Indian football fans at Brazil friendly
-
Antonelli tops times in final practice at Bahrain GP
-
India-Pakistan blockbuster brings cricket fever to Japan baseball field
-
Gauff digs deep to beat Osorio in China Open second round
-
Wong waiting on Rafa after winning Asian Games tennis gold
-
Fresh protests to hit Spain after housing measures defeated
-
With Russia next door and rising costs, Latvia goes to the polls
-
'He's here with me': Japan cycle queen dedicates gold to late brother
-
Penalty hero rues empty seats as Games hosts Japan win football gold
-
Japan Olympic chief says 'lot more' athletes at Games than expected
-
North Korea fires ballistic missile after Seoul's apology demand
-
Asian carmakers besting US rivals at home, China poised to strike
-
US regulator finds Boeing 737 MAX software bug 'not a safety concern'
-
Widgets & Web Offers All-Inclusive Investor Relations Websites for Public Companies, IPOs and SPACs
-
Ohtani 'managing' injuries as Dodgers launch MLB post-season
-
New to The Street Show 774 Premieres Tonight on Bloomberg Television, Debuting Southeast Asia Distribution and Featuring Glint, American Fusion, SyncMeOn and T-REX Acquisition Corp.
-
New "What Is a Gold IRA?" Titled Guide Released for Consumers to Explain Rules, Steps and Best Providers
-
Adams named new US captain to 2030 World Cup
-
Botched US execution leaves murderer unconscious on ventilator: lawyers
-
China a better influence in Latin America than US: poll
-
Cornell rape case exposes sexual violence at US colleges
-
Judge pauses construction of border project in Texas national park
-
France held by Italy in Zidane's homecoming after Olise stunner
-
Belgium's De Bruyne fires double to sink Turkey, France held by Italy
Veteran Monfils powers past teenager to reach 35th final
The 38-year-old Gael Monfils swept aside an opponent half his age on Friday to reach the final of the Auckland Classic, setting up a shot at his 13th title.
The Frenchman beat American qualifier Nishesh Basavareddy 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 in their semi-final to become the second-oldest men's singles finalist at any event since the ATP Tour began in 1990.
Monfils capitalised on opportunities better than his 19-year-old opponent, converting his only break point of the match late in the second set.
He said he was relieved to reach a 35th career final to kick-start his 21st year on tour, hoping it sets him up well for the Australian Open in Melbourne starting Sunday.
"I'm very happy. This kid has a bright future in front of him, he pushed me to the limit," said Monfils, who faces fellow Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the first round of the Australian Open.
Saturday's Auckland final will pit the unseeded world number 52 against either seventh-seeded Portuguese Nuno Borges or unseeded Belgian Zizou Bergs.
P.Stevenson--AMWN
