Monfils was struggling with a back injury at the start of the fourth set as Ben Shelton advanced to the quarter-finals

Jannik Sinner battled through illness and reached the quarter-finals of the Australian Open on Monday but the physical demands of Grand Slam tennis proved too much for French veteran Gael Monfils and American teenager Learner Tien.

Veteran Gael Monfils has rolled back the years in recent weeks with a string of incredible performances, but the Frenchman said he had exceeded his limit after retiring hurt from his fourth-round Australian Open match against Ben Shelton on Monday.

Learner Tien, 19, beats Corentin Moutet while Gael Monfils, 38, defeats fourth seed Taylor Fritz to reach the Australian Open fourth round.

After his historic win, Monfils returned to Margaret Court Arena and sat in the stands to watch his wife, Svitolina, eliminate the women's No. 4 seed, two-time major finalist Jasmine Paolini 2-6, 6-4, 6-0 at night.

The former world No. 3 breezed into the last eight in Melbourne for the first time since 2019, and will now focus on supporting Monfils in an upcoming clash against American Ben Shelton.

Elina Svitolina revealed she had been inspired by her husband Gael Monfils after the couple both completed thrilling upsets in their respective matches at the Australian Open. Svitolina staged a brilliant comeback to beat fourth seed Jasmine Paolini 2-6 6-4 6-0 in their third-round meeting.

It was a day to remember at the Australian Open, with Learner Tien becoming the youngest to reach the fourth round since Rafael Nadal in 2005 and Gael Monfils defying age to tie French records and make history.

Welcome to the Australian Open briefing, where will explain the stories behind the stories on each day of the tournament. On day nine, Gael Monfils’ magical run came to a close as remarkable exploits caught up to players all over Melbourne Park.

French veteran Gaël Monfils rolled back the years to stun the USA’s No. 4 seed Taylor Fritz in the third round of the Australian Open on Saturday, winning 3-6 7-5 7-6(1) 6-4 after three hours and eight minutes of scintillating tennis.

It was a heartbreaking ending to Gael Monfils' time at the Australian Open as he was forced to give his hand over and retire.