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

MELBOURNE, Australia — World No. 4 and U.S. Open finalist Taylor Fritz is out of the Australian Open after Gael Monfils continued his vintage run through the tournament. Fritz took the first set 6-3, but from thereafter Monfils took control, prevailing 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (1), 6-4.

Gael Monfils has joined Roger Federer as the only men to reach the Australian Open's fourth round at age 38 or older since the tournament field expanded to 128 players in 1988.

Gael Monfils rallied from a set down to claim a thrilling 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (1), 6-4 win over American Taylor Fritz in a third-round match at the Australian Open.

At the same time, it is worth noting that – with this retirement – Monfils has become the player with the most retirements and walkovers in Open Era together with German Tommy Haas. Both are 33, ahead of Nikolay Davydenko and Philipp Kohlschreiber in this particular ranking.

American player and world No. 4 Taylor Fritz will face France's Gael Monfils tonight in Margaret Court Arena following the women's singles match between U.S. player Emma Navarro and Ons Jabeur. The match will take place in Margaret Arena no sooner than 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT today.