The showdown billed as the battle of the French generations went the old timer's way on Tuesday as 38-year-old Gael Monfils saw off 21-year-old Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in five sets at the Australian Open in Melbourne.

Monfils, playing in the tournament for the 18th time, won 7-6, 6-3, 6-7, 6-7, 6-3 in just under four hours to move into the second round against the unseeded German Daniel Altmaier.

"‘It's never easy to play Frenchmen, even more so when you like each other," said Monfils. "I am happy with the win. It shows I still have the ability to remain competitive."

Monfils, who reached a career high of six in the world in November 2016, came into the season's first Grand Slam tournament on the back of a trophy from the ASB Classic and the kudos of becoming the oldest man to win a top level ATP competition since tennis was opened to professional players in 1968.

Mpetshi Perricard, featuring in the main draw of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time as a seed, squandered a set point during the opening set tiebreaker.

Still reeling from the setback, the 30th seed lost his service game early in the second set and, having secured the advantage, Monfils held his own service games to claim it 6-3 and gain a two-set advantage.

He showed admirable grit to save two match points in the third set tiebreak and fight back to take the match into a fifth set.

Victory

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