Gilles Simon outlasted fellow Frenchman Gael Monfils 6-4, 6-4, 4-6, 1-6, 8-6 in a marathon third round match at the Australian Open that ended after midnight.
Simon and Monfils both had several visits for treatment from the ATP trainer during the 4 hour, 43-minute match, which started late Saturday on the Hisense Arena.
Simon had a chance to serve out the match at 5-4 in the fifth set and got within two points of victory when he finished off a 47-shot rally. But Monfils hit back immediately to break serve and level the match.
Simon rallied again, breaking Monfils’ service in the 13th game of the deciding set and then holding serve in the next to clinch it.
Simon will play Andy Murray in the fourth round.
