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.
