Monfils Wins 12th Five-Set Match, Ties Noah Roland Garros Record

Gael Monfils, the French tennis star, captivated the Roland Garros crowd with his 12th five-set victory at the French Open, coming from two sets down to defeat Bolivian Hugo Dellien in the opening round. Despite this resilient performance, Monfils expressed that he does not enjoy being in such difficult positions during matches, emphasizing that while he manages, he does not feel stronger in these situations. His victory marked his 40th win at Roland Garros, equaling the record held by Yannick Noah for a French player, highlighting his longevity and enduring presence at his home Grand Slam. The match was physically challenging for Monfils, who required a medical timeout for hand, knee, and back injuries early in the contest but was able to recover and unleash what he called 'Monfils magic' to turn the match around. Monfils' best result at Roland Garros remains a semi-final appearance in 2008, and he is set to face fifth seed Jack Draper next. His career has been characterized by his charismatic and athletic play, and despite setbacks, he continues to thrill fans with his battling spirit on the court.