In-form Gael Monfils expects ‘very tough’ Australian Open despite Andy Murray’s absence

Gael Monfils said he expected a tough Australian Open despite claiming his first title of the season on Saturday after he won the Qatar Open by beating Andrey Rublev.

Monfils, returning to action after a knee injury which brought a premature end to last season, said he would still be unseeded in Melbourne and expected a tough draw.

“Australia is definitely something else,” said the 31-year-old. “It’s a slam. I know it’s going to be tough because I won’t be seeded.”

“It’s been a while since I played without being seeded. It’s always an advantage in a slam. It’s going to be interesting to see the draw, where I will be. I know I can have a very tough first round.”

He may, in fact, still have a slim chance of being seeded in Australia, depending on injuries to top players as well as his move up the rankings following his 6-2, 6-3 win in Qatar.

Going into Doha, Monfils was ranked 46th in the world. With the new rankings out next week, he is expected to rise to 39, still seven places outside the seedings.