Adrian Mannarino Becomes 5th Player Since 1980 to Qualify for Australian Open Eighth at Age 35

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Adrian Mannarino struck a big blow yesterday by qualifying for the round of 16 of the Australian Open at age 35. The Frenchman eliminated American Ben Shelton, who is 14 years younger than Mannarino. After a long fight in five sets, Mannarino pocketed his ticket for the round of 16 where he will challenge world number 1 Novak Djokovic for a match that promises to be immense. But while this duel will take place on Sunday, it turns out that Mannarino has entered a very exclusive club by qualifying for the round of 16 of the Australian Open at 35 years old.

Mannarino with Djokovic, Nadal and Federer

Thus, the Frenchman entered a very exclusive club, becoming the 5th player since 1980 to qualify in eighth at the Australian Open after 35 years, after the Big 3 and Gaël Monfils. He actually joined Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Gaël Monfils in this club. Above all, it is the first time since Dominic Hrbaty in 2006 that a player reaches the eighth having already played 15 sets. And Mannarino also became the oldest French player to play a second week of a Grand Slam. He surpasses Gaël Monfils, the reference in the field until then. We can thus realize to what extent the Frenchman has been on fire in recent months, he who is ready to achieve the feat against Djokovic.

📊 They qualified for the 1/8 finals of the Australian Open after celebrating their 35th anniversary since 1980:
🇨🇭 Roger Federer
🇪🇸 Rafael Nadal
🇫🇷 Gaël Monfils
🇷🇸 Novak Djokovic
🇫🇷 Adrian Mannarino 🆕 pic.twitter.com/zreF841rmf

— Game, Set and Maths (@JeuSetMaths) January 19, 2024

To sum up

Adrian Mannarino struck a big blow yesterday by qualifying for the round of 16 of the Australian Open at age 35. The Frenchman eliminated American Ben Shelton, who is 14 years younger than Mannarino. After a long fight in five sets, Mannarino pocketed his ticket for the round of 16 where he will challenge world number 1 Novak Djokovic for a match that promises to be immense.

2024-01-20 10:56:33
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