Monfils beats Diaz to become the oldest Auckland Open semi-finalist

Frenchman Gael Monfils moved into the semi-finals of the Auckland Open by winning against Argentinian lucky loser Facundo Diaz Acosta 6-3, 6-1 at the ASB Tennis Arena on Thursday.

Monfils needed only 78 minutes to get the better of Diaz Acosta.

He did it on the back of four aces and as many break-point conversions, averaging an impressive 85 percent on the first serve points. The outcome notably meant Monfils, aged 38, became the oldest semi-finalist in the Auckland Open history.

Lamonf, la victoire 😊@Gael_Monfils becomes the oldest semi-finalist in @ASB_Classic history with his 6-3 6-1 win over Diaz Acosta. #ASBClassic25 pic.twitter.com/nBVaSTQ90r

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) January 9, 2025

Monfils, ranked No 52, will play qualifier Nishesh Basavareddy next.

Ahead of his victory, the 38-year-old Frenchman beat Spaniard Pedro Martinez Portero (1-6, 7-6 (5), 6-3) and German Jan-Lennard Struff (6-1, 7-6 (5)).

Acosta, ranked No 78, won against Cameron Norrie (6-2, 6-3) and No 3 seed Sebastian Baez (6-4, 7-6 (1)) in the previous rounds of the Auckland tournament.

Auckland ATP 250, other last eight results (ASB Tennis Arena, hard, USD 766.290, most recent results first):

• Jakub Mensik vs. Nuno Borges
• Roberto Carballes Baena vs. Zizou Bergs
• Nishesh Basavareddy beat Alex Michelsen (8): 2-6, 6-2, 6-4

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