Archive · 2 Sep 2026
Gael Monfils Stuns US Open Crowd With Leaping Forehand
Gael Monfils played Adolfo Daniel Vallejo at the US Open.
He hit a powerful forehand while jumping in the air.
The exciting shot made the crowd stand up and applaud.
Monfils lost the first set, but then won the next three sets.
He won the match with scores of 6-1, 6-2, and 6-0 in those sets.
He hit 37 winning shots during the match.
The victory happened on his 40th birthday.
Fans later sang “Happy Birthday” to him on the court.
Gael Monfils hit a spectacular leaping forehand winner against Adolfo Daniel Vallejo at the 2026 US Open.
The shot drew a standing ovation from the Louis Armstrong Stadium crowd.
Monfils recovered from losing the first set 2-6 to win 6-1, 6-2, 6-0.
He struck 37 winners en route to reaching the second round.
The victory came on Monfils’ 40th birthday and at what is expected to be his final US Open.
- Who
- Gael Monfils and Adolfo Daniel Vallejo.
- What
- Monfils defeated Vallejo after producing a spectacular leaping forehand winner.
- When
- During the 2026 US Open, on Monfils’ 40th birthday.
- Where
- Louis Armstrong Stadium in New York.
- Why
- Monfils was competing in the US Open first round; the victory sent him into the second round.
- Event
- 2026 US Open first round
- Players
- Gael Monfils vs. Adolfo Daniel Vallejo
- Match result
- Monfils won after losing the opening set 2-6
- Set scores
- 6-2, 6-1, 6-2, 6-0 overall
- Winners
- Monfils hit 37 winners
- Milestone
- The match took place on Monfils’ 40th birthday
- Next stage
- Monfils advanced to the second round