The Frenchman Gael Monfils because the second oldest ATP player won a match at the Miami Open by delivering a 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 victory over Hungary’s Fabian Marozan in the first round on Wednesday.
The 38-year-old Monfils had 15 aces among 38 winners.
The only older male who won in Miami is the Hall of Famer Jimmy Connors, who won 39 1992.
“I met a few different angles and showed that I could run and predict,” Monfils said about their winnings. “I made it difficult (for him). I beat a little more depth in my pictures and didn’t let him dictate, and I think I did well.”
Marozsan had 33 winners against 36 unthreated errors. Monfils made 19 unthreated errors.
Monfils will play No. 26 Frö Jiri Lehecka in the Czech Republic in the second round.
Australian Nick Kyrgios recorded its first ATP victory since 2022 by taking down American qualifying Mackenzie McDonald 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Kyrgios, which had 13 aces, was tormented for foot and wrist injuries for 18 months.
“It’s been a long journey,” said Kyrgios, who had 36 winners. “Also to just get to the starting line with matches and be afraid to just finish them. … but to come out and get a win, to feel that I belong again, is quite special.
“How my wrist has been raised for the past six months has not been good. Having a victory against Mackie before giving me experience to pull from, but he is so tricky, he definitely caught me with guard. I went to court and I was not used to that ball speed again.”
McDonald was not the only American who had a tough day.
Australia’s Tristan Schoolate rolled over Ethan Quinn 6-0, 6-2; Argentina’s Camilo Ugo Carabelli collected for 2-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4 victory over Brandon Holt; And Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic listed a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Aleksandar Kovacevic.
Belgium’s David Goffin fought back for a 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 victory over Aleksandar Yukic in Australia; Alexander Bublic from Kazakhstan beat Argentina’s Sebastian Baez 6-3, 6-4; And Aussie Rinky Hijikata exceeded Serbia’s Hamad Medjedovic 7-5. 3-6. 7-5.
Qualifier Chun-Hsin Tseng in Taiwan was a 7-6 (5), 6-2 winner over Italy’s Mattia Bellucci; Wild Card Federico Cina from Italy was a 7-6 (4), 7-6 (2) Victor over Argentina’s Francisco Comesana; And the Frenchman Corentin Moutet prevailed 7-6 (5), 6-4 over Belgium’s Alexander Blockx.
Alexandre Muller from France published a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Japan’s Rei Sakamoto; Spain Roberto Carballes Baena sweated out a 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (5) victory over the Australian qualifier Christopher O’Connell; And the Spaniard Jaume Munar registered a 6-3, 7-6 (5) victory over France’s Arthur Rinderknech.
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