By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Thursday January 2, 2025
Novak Djokovic pulled into the quarterfinals at the Brisbane International with a straight sets win over Gael Monfils.
Photo Source: TTV
So far, so good for Novak Djokovic in 2025.
The 24-time major champion cruised into the quarterfinals at the Brisbane International with a comfortable 6-3, 6-3 win over Frenchman Gael Monfils, setting a clash with hard-serving American Reilly Opelka.
With his family watching from the stands at the Pat Rafter Arena, Djokovic improved to 20-0 lifetime against 38-year-old Monfils with a crisp, clean effort that saw him save the only break point he faced as he converted all three of his own against the world No.55.
“He’s one of the best if not the best athletes in our sport,” Djokovic said of Monfils. “Incredible agility, flexibility and speed.”
It may be true, but on Thursday night Monfils was no match for Grand Slam king Djokovic once again as the Serbian legend advanced the most lopsided head-to-head in ATP history, and he improved to 1126-222 overall as he advanced his bid for a 100th career title.
Most lopsided head-to-heads, ATP Tour, all-time:
Djokovic 20-0 Monfils
Nadal 18-0 Gasquet
Borg 17-0 Gerulaitis
Federer 17-0 Ferrer
Federer 17-0 Youzhny
Lendl 17-0 Mayotte
He also reached his 217th ATP quarterfinal, moving into a tie with Ivan Lendl for fourth on the all-time list.
With his daughter Tara and son Stefan looking on Djokovic explained his playful post-match celebration.
“My daughter told me to keep going with violin if I win and my son told me to play the saxophone. I tried to incorporate both as a kind of celebration – it’s my first time for me to have my family down under. It’s a very long trip but they came here to be with me and support me. We are spending a lot of quality time together off the court – my heart is full and it allows me to play my best tennis.”
Djokovic saved a break point in the third game of the match before breaking Monfils for 3-1 in the first set. He held serve easily the rest of the way in the opener. In the second set Djokovic broke for 2-1 and again in the final game to lock up his victory in 72 minutes.
Opelka defeated Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi, 7-6(9), 7-6(4), while Jakub Mensik (d. Lajovic) was also a winner.
France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard defeated American Frances Tiafoe 6-4, 7-6(4) as well.