France, April 6 -- The 39-year-old, who is retiring from the ATP circuit at the end of the season, earned the accolade with a 6-7, 6-1, 6-4 win over the Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor.

The victory allowed him to move past compatriot Richard Gasquet and give him a 145th success at one of the nine tournaments which are considered the most prestigious on the circuit after the Grand Slam championships in Melbourne, Paris, London and New York.

Monfils also became the second-oldest Masters 1000 match winner behind Ivo Karlovic who reached the last-16 at Indian Wells Masters in March 2019 when he was 40.

"It's never easy the first match on clay," said Monfils who reached the final at the Monte Carlo Masters in 2016.

"I haven't played s...