Monfils wins the Adelaide International
Gael Monfils will return to his long-time residence in the world's top 20 after making a winning start in 2022 at the Adelaide International.
The French showman defeated Russian Karen Khachanov 6-4 6-4 at Memorial Drive on Sunday night to secure an often under-appreciated 11th career title.
Unfortunately for playing in the golden age of the sport's Big Three, it is unlikely that Monfils will fulfill his Grand Slam potential since 2003, with 60 majors between Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
But the 35-year-old former world No. 1 junior, who won the first three stages of the Junior Grand Slam in 2004 before Andy Murray crashed his party at the US Open, is still setting milestones in his career. .
Even if he did lose, Sunday's clash with Khachanov marked the 18th year in a row that Monfils made it to the ATP Finals.
He celebrated it in style, beating Khachanov in straight sets to ensure he climbed from 21st to 17th in Monday's rankings.
With the injury to 16th-ranked Federer, it is enough to ensure that Monfils finds a vital top-16 seed for the Australian Open, which begins on January 17.
Monfils' best result in 2016 has been a quarter-final performance at Melbourne Park.
