The quarterfinals of the ATP Open Sud de France in Montpellier are here! It’s been an exciting week of tennis so far in Montpellier, but we are down to eight competitors. Who will move on to the final four and who will be knocked out of the tournament? Read on to find out!
ATP Montpellier Quarterfinal Prediction
Gregoire Barrere vs Filip Krajinovic
Head to Head: never played
Gregoire Barrere picked up one of the biggest wins of his career in the second round of Montpellier. Barrere beat World No. 23 Grigor Dimitrov from a set down to reach the quarterfinals. Filip Krajinovic has not dropped a set yet this tournament and just crushed Mikael Ymer 6-1 6-1 to get to the quarterfinals.
These two have never played before. Barrere, who is from France, will have the French crowd behind him. But, you have to expect a dip in level after such a big win. Krajinovic has inspired a lot of confidence from the way he destroyed Ymer. He’s a clean ball striker and thrives in the indoor conditions. Krajinovic will win this match and advance to the semifinals.
Prediction: Krajinovic in 2
David Goffin vs Pierre-Hugues Herbert
Head to Head: 4-0 Goffin
David Goffin fended off five set points in the second set of his second round match in Montpellier against Alexander Bublik to win in straight sets. Pierre-Hugues Herbert hasn’t dropped a set in the two matches he has played and upset Felix Auger-Aliassime to make the quarterfinals.
Goffin leads the head to head 4-0 and one of those matches was a five-setter in Australian Open earlier this season. Goffin is very consistent from the baseline and is a clean ball striker who is great at turning defense into offense. The indoor conditions are certainly helping Herbert, who is serving very well and only faced one break point against Auger-Aliassime. Herbert will also have the crowd on his side, as he is French. But, give Goffin’s level of play from the baseline and how he has done well in the past with this matchup, I expect him to win a tight match here.
Prediction: Goffin in 3
Gael Monfils vs Norbert Gombos
Head to Head: never played
Gael Monfils took down Adrian Mannarino from a set down to reach the quarterfinals of Montpellier. Norbert Gombos has had a very impressive run, coming back from a set down to beat Pablo Carreno-Busta and then taking out Emil Ruusuvuori in straight sets.
These two have never played before. Gombos has a huge serve and plays an aggressive brand of tennis that is working well indoors. Monfils is more willing to play defensive tennis and counterpunch. But, when Monfils sees an opening, he can ramp up the power. While Gombos is playing well this week, Monfils ability to get balls back will frustrate Gombos and force him into overhitting. Monfils moves on, but it won’t be easy given Gombos’ level this week.
Prediction: Monfils in 3
Richard Gasquet vs Vasek Pospisil
Head to Head: tied 2-2
Richard Gasquet has had an excellent return from injury. After comfortably beating Gilles Simon in the quarterfinals, he recovered from a set deficit to beat Feliciano Lopez in three sets. Vasek Pospisil has reached the quarterfinals without losing a set. Pospisil didn’t have much trouble dispatching Denis Shapovalov in his second round match.
The head to head is tied 2-2, all on hard courts, but Gasquet has won the last two meetings. Gasquet was able to beat Lopez, who’s game, like Pospisil’s, is based on getting to the net often. This gives confidence that he will be able to handle Pospisil’s forays into the net. However, with the way Pospisil is serving, expect this match to be close.
Prediction: Gasquet in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
Disagree with our ATP Montpellier Quarterfinal Predictions? As always, feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments.
