An Unsung Couple Makes a Run at US Open

Gael Monfils may be nearing the end of his tennis career, but he's giving himself one more shot at a Grand Slam trophy—with his wife at his side. As the Wall Street Journal reports, the 39-year-old Frenchman and Elina Svitolina, ranked No. 9 in women's singles, won twice Tuesday to reach the US Open mixed doubles semifinals, despite coming into the event with what Svitolina called "zero expectations." Yet, Svitolina says, "We understand each other even by [looking] at each other's reaction. We can find the right words for each other, which is great, and I think very helpful in mixed doubles because everything goes super quick. You have no time to be sad and upset."

They upset heavyweight doubles pair Katerina Siniakova and Henry Patten—who had earlier knocked out Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka—in a tight, fast-format match, 5-4(6), 4-5(3), (10-8). Monfils, who plans to retire after the season, called teaming up with Svitolina a "great experience" and said this US Open run will be both his first and last in mixed doubles. "It's a fun format, I really enjoyed the first time playing with my wife," he tells Tennis365. "I had massive pressure on my back but I feel like I handled it. ... We played, we won, so now let's see for the next one."