French Open 2023: Emotional Gael Monfils roars back from 0-4, 30-40 in fifth set to book Holger Rune clash

Updated 31/05/2023 at 10:05 GMT

Gael Monfils’ dream of a maiden major lives on – just – after he fought back from the brink of defeat to book a duel with Norwegian sixth seed Holger Rune. The Frenchman, who made the semi-finals at Roland-Garros in 2008, collapsed to the court in tears after pulling off the five-set victory in the early moments of Wednesday morning. Stream the 2023 French Open live on discovery+.

Monfils v Baez - French Open 2023 highlights

Home favourite Gael Monfils roared back from 0-4, 30-40 in the deciding set to reach the second round of the French Open with a stunning late-night win over Argentina’s Sebastian Baez.

Monfils, 36, was on the brink of an early exit as he stared down a break point on his own serve in the fifth set for 0-5, but saved it before mounting an epic comeback to pull level at 4-4 on Court Philippe-Chatrier.

But the drama was not over. Monfils was broken again to love in the ninth game of the decider, leaving Baez serving for the match, before the Frenchman broke back immediately and won the next two games to complete a 3-6 6-3 7-5 1-6 7-5 victory at 12:18 am local time.

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"It's definitely in my top two [matches]. It was an unbelievable atmosphere as well. Of course this one is another flavour. I'm older, and even less chances, let's say, to win this match today," Monfils said.

"It was a great atmosphere tonight, I guess for some spectators as well. I know I have some friends for the first time they came to Roland-Garros, so I think it was a good experience for them."

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The final game was particularly extraordinary, with Monfils barely able to move between points due to cramp as the partisan crowd whipped up a frenzy.

Monfils sealed victory with a passing winner which flicked off the top of the net and was overcome with emotion after the handshakes, collapsing to the court and sobbing as the fans saluted his efforts.

"At 3-0 down in the fifth I told myself I haven't won a match since I'm a dad, and my daughter is in Paris, and I gotta get one for her," an emotional Monfils added.

Monfils, a semi-finalist at Roland-Garros in 2008, will take on sixth seed Holger Rune in the second round.