La Monf wins Auckland to become oldest tournament winner since 1977

French veteran and UTS New York champion Gael Monfils defeated Belgian qualifier Zizou Bergs 6-3, 6-4 to win the ASB Classic title in Auckland on Saturday.

This was the 13th career ATP singles title for the Frenchman, his first since Stockholm in 2023 and comes 20 years after he claimed his first title in 2005. It also made him the oldest male player to win a title on the men’s tour since 43-year-old Ken Rosewall won the Hong Kong title in 1977.

Prior to his win in the final, Monfils, ranked No 52 in the world, defeated Spaniard Pedro Martinez (1-6, 7-6 (5), 6-3), German Jan-Lennard Struff (6-1, 7-6 (5)), Argentinian lucky loser Facundo Diaz Acosta (6-3, 6-1) and American qualifier Nishesh Basavareddy (7-6 (5), 6-4). In that first round against Martinez, the Frenchman had to come from 6-1, 5-2 down to win in three sets.

Monfils’ triumph in Auckland comes just over a month before the next instalment of UTS, taking place in Guadalajara.

Eight players, who will be split into two groups of four, will compete for a $1.4 million prize money purse. The winner of UTS Guadalajara will take home $420,000.

This is the first time the UTS Tour has been in Latin America and it all happens on February 14th – 16th.

Tickets for the tournament are available on the boletemovil.com platform.