Gael Monfils defeats Adolfo Daniel Vallejo in first round of US Open
5 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 2, 2026, 2:24 AM
Last updated Sep 2, 2026
Gael Monfils secured a first-round victory at the US Open on his 40th birthday, defeating Adolfo Daniel Vallejo in four sets at Louis Armstrong Stadium. After dropping the opening set 2-6, Monfils rallied to win the subsequent three sets 6-1, 6-2, 6-0. The win marks the first time a 40-year-old has won a main draw match at the tournament since Jimmy Connors in 1992. Monfils, who plans to retire at the end of the year, reached the event's semifinals in 2016 and recently competed in the mixed doubles bracket with his wife, Elina Svitolina. The win sets up a second-round match against the 14th seed, Learner Tien. Other veteran players in the draw, including Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka, were eliminated in their opening-round matches.
- •Gael Monfils beat Adolfo Daniel Vallejo 2-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-0 at Louis Armstrong Stadium.
- •The win occurred on Monfils' 40th birthday, matching a milestone set by Jimmy Connors in 1992.
- •Monfils moves on to face the 14th seed, Learner Tien, in the second round.
- •The victory is his first Grand Slam win since the first round of Wimbledon in 2025.
- 3:04 AMESPN — Retiring Monfils wins at US Open on 40th birthday
- 2:07 AMYahoo Sports — Jubilant Monfils celebrates birthday with US Open win
- 1:56 AMYahoo Sports — Ageless Gael Monfils joins Jimmy Connors in US Open lore
- 1:52 AMYahoo Sports — Gael Monfils wins on his 40th birthday at the US Open to extend his Grand Slam career
"Gael Monfils stood in the middle of the court and bowed to the crowd that was treating the Frenchman to a roaring ovation on his 40th birthday. Monfils turned back the clock and pushed back the end of his Grand Slam career, beating Adolfo Daniel Vallejo 2-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-0 on Tuesday night at the U.S. Open. Monfils became the oldest man to win a U.S. Open match since Jimmy Connors — another guy who loved to put on a show in New York — defeated Jaime Oncins on Sept. 2, 1992, when he turned 40.
"France's Gael Monfils turned back the clock Tuesday, making the most of a US Open wild card and an adoring New York crowd to advance to the second round."You guys always make it electric, amazing," Monfils said in an on-court interview.
"Gael Monfils, playing on his 40th birthday, beat Adolfo Daniel Vallejo in four sets Tuesday night to become the oldest man to win a US Open match since Jimmy Connors in 1992.
Sources
External links- ESPNSep 2, 2026, 3:04 AMRetiring Monfils wins at US Open on 40th birthday
Gael Monfils, playing on his 40th birthday, beat Adolfo Daniel Vallejo in four sets Tuesday night to become the oldest man to win a US Open match since Jimmy Connors in 1992.
- Yahoo SportsSep 2, 2026, 2:07 AMJubilant Monfils celebrates birthday with US Open win
France's Gael Monfils turned back the clock Tuesday, making the most of a US Open wild card and an adoring New York crowd to advance to the second round."You guys always make it electric, amazing," Monfils said in an on-court interview.
- Yahoo SportsSep 2, 2026, 1:56 AMAgeless Gael Monfils joins Jimmy Connors in US Open lore
Gael Monfils looked every bit the ageless wonder on his 40th birthday in his first round US Open victory under the lights at Armstrong Stadium on September 1, 2026.
- Yahoo SportsSep 2, 2026, 1:52 AMGael Monfils wins on his 40th birthday at the US Open to extend his Grand Slam career
Gael Monfils stood in the middle of the court and bowed to the crowd that was treating the Frenchman to a roaring ovation on his 40th birthday. Monfils turned back the clock and pushed back the end of his Grand Slam career, beating Adolfo Daniel Vallejo 2-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-0 on Tuesday night at the U.S. Open. Monfils became the oldest man to win a U.S. Open match since Jimmy Connors — another guy who loved to put on a show in New York — defeated Jaime Oncins on Sept. 2, 1992, when he turned 40.
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