Top seed Novak Djokovic secured his place in the quarterfinals of the Brisbane International, an ATP 250 event, by defeating longtime rival Gael Monfils 6-3, 6-3 on Thursday.
The win marks Djokovic’s 20th career victory over the Frenchman, maintaining a flawless head-to-head record in their professional encounters.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion needed just an hour and 12 minutes to dispatch Monfils, converting all three break points he earned. Djokovic’s commanding performance highlights his sharp form as he prepares for the upcoming Australian Open, which begins January 12 in Melbourne.
Despite being one of the most athletic players on the tour, the 38-year-old Monfils has never managed to overcome Djokovic, dating back to their first meeting at the 2005 US Open. Their rivalry now stands as the most one-sided head-to-head record in tennis history.
“We have been playing for many years. I have known Gael since I was 15,” Djokovic said in his post-match interview.
“We played quite a bit in juniors and on the Tour. While I’ve had a good score against him, we’ve had some incredible battles. He’s one of the best, if not the best, athlete in our sport over the years—his flexibility, agility, and speed are remarkable.”
Makes it 20-0 🙌@DjokerNole defeats Monfils, continuing his perfect record against the Frenchman!#BrisbaneTennis pic.twitter.com/9h3mkC3Yml
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) January 2, 2025
At 37 years old, Djokovic is chasing his 100th career singles title, a milestone achieved by only two other players: Roger Federer (103 titles) and Jimmy Connors (109 titles). To reach the semifinals, Djokovic will face towering American Reilly Opelka, known for his powerful serve and aggressive play.
Djokovic’s impressive form in Brisbane underscores his determination to add another Australian Open trophy to his collection. The Serbian has won the Melbourne Slam a record 10 times, solidifying his dominance on Australian soil.
As the season’s first Grand Slam approaches, Djokovic appears poised to continue his historic run, combining unmatched consistency with a hunger for more titles. Fans and rivals alike will be watching closely as he inches closer to tennis immortality.
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