Monfils' Grand Slam career ends with US Open loss to Tien

Gael Monfils' Grand Slam career came to a close on Thursday night after a straight-sets defeat to American Learner Tien in the second round of the US Open. The 40-year-old Frenchman, who has announced he will retire at the end of the season, was honored by the New York crowd in a ceremony following his 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 loss at Louis Armstrong Stadium. The match marked the end of a 21-year Grand Slam journey for Monfils, who first competed at the US Open as a junior in 2003 and made his main-draw debut in 2005. He entered this year's tournament on a wild card and had secured a first-round victory over Adolfo Daniel Vallejo on his 40th birthday, becoming the oldest man to win a match at the event since Jimmy Connors in 1992. However, the 14th-seeded Tien, who is half Monfils' age, proved too strong in their second meeting in just over a month. Despite the loss, Monfils was the center of attention. Fans chanted his name throughout the match and gave him a standing ovation after his final shot.