French-Born Caribbean Roots Player Advances At U.S. Open

Gael Monfils of France returns a shot to Gilles Muller of Luxembourg during his first round Men’s Singles match on Day One of the 2016 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 29, 2016 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

By NAN Sports Editor

News Americas, FLUSHING, NY, Tues. Aug. 30, 2016: French-born Caribbean-roots professional tennis player Gael Monfils has advanced to round two of the 2016 U.S. Open.

Monfils whose father is from Guadeloupe and whose mother is from the nearby island of Martinique, recorded a 6-4, 6-2, 7-6 (5) victory over Luxembourg’s Gilles Muller yesterday at the back of Court 17 in Flushing, Queens.

Monfils, 29, also escaped serious injury after colliding with a courtside clock during his first-round match at the US Open. He narrowly avoided having the clock land on his ankle during his victory over Muller.

Dozens of others are hoping that they have the stuff to string together seven wins over the course of the next two weeks, allowing them to stand alone at the end of the Flushing fortnight.