Gael Monfils has become the second-oldest player in more than 30 years to reach the final of an ATP Tour event after beating American Nishesh Basavareddy 7-6 (5), 6-4 in the semifinals at Auckland.

The Frenchman barely survived the first round and raised his level, scoring three wins and collecting his 73rd ATP semi-final at 38! Monfils faced Facundo Diaz Acosta in the quarter-final and scored a one-sided 6-1, 6-3 victory in an hour and 17 minutes.

The ATP ASB Classic semifinals are set in Auckland and what an incredible lineup of players we have. From 38-year-old Gael Monfils to 19-year-old Nishesh Basavareddy, with Zizou Bergs and Nuno Borges in between.

Frenchman Monfils has been breaking records steadily in Auckland to reach his 35th ATP Tour final. When he beat Jan-Lennard Struff to reach the quarter-finals, he became the oldest player in the professional era to make the last eight in Auckland.

Gael Monfils became the second-oldest player in more than 30 years to reach the final of an ATP Tour event after beating American Nishesh Basavareddy 7-6 (5), 6-4 in the semifinals at Auckland on Friday.

Action in the lead up to the Australian Open turn to the ATP ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand, as the players look to put themselves in the best possible shape to compete at the first Grand Slam of the year.