Gael Monfils has had a good year and notably took on Roger Federer in the US Open quarter-finals in New York last month. Photo / AP
Flamboyant Frenchman Gael Monfils has been confirmed for next January's Heineken Open in Auckland. He is hot off the back of his show stopping performance at the US Open, where he reached the quarter-finals.
Monfils produced three sets of his best tennis against Roger Federer that set the New York
tournament alight, winning the opening two sets against the Swiss Master and holding two match points.
"We saw what Gael was capable of at the US Open; he was all over Roger for two and a half sets. When he plays at that intensity, there are few players who can stick with him," said tournament director, Karl Budge.
Ranked No15 in the world, Monfils has had a strong year, finishing runner-up in Doha (for the third time), earning a quarter-finals appearance at the French Open and US Open, and securing his fifth career ATP Tour title in Montpellier, defeating compatriot Richard Gasquet in the final.
Monfils has played the Heineken Open twice before, most memorably in 2013 where he took on David Ferrer in the semifinal.
