Monfils' struggles continue with 1st-round loss at Australian Open

Gael Monfils' eyes filled with his tears as he spoke to reporters after his seventh consecutive tour-level loss — and the first time he's exited the Australian Open in his opening match in 15 years.

The 10th-seeded Frenchman is a two-time Grand Slam semifinalist, but he can't seem to win anywhere at the moment. It's been a year since his last victory.

The latest setback for Monfils came on Day 1 at Melbourne Park, beaten by 86th-ranked Emil Ruusuvuori of Finland 3-6, 6-4, 7-5, 3-6, 6-3.

Ruusuouri was playing only his fourth career match at a Grand Slam tournament.

And the luck of the draw might have played a role here: These two players were practice partners during the coronavirus-forced quarantine when they arrived in Australia.