After an incredible week of tennis at the Open Sud de France in Montpellier, just two men remain in contention for the title, with Gael Monfils and Vasek Pospisil set to clash in the final on Sunday. But will Monfils delight the French crowd or will the resurgent Pospisil pull off the upset?
Open Sud de France Final Prediction
Gael Monfils vs Vasek Pospisil
Head-to-head: Monfils 5-0 Pospisil
Monfils had to come back from a set down in his opener at the Open Sud de France against Adrian Mannarino, but hasn’t dropped a set since. In the semifinal against the Serbian Filip Krajinovic, a runner-up at the Paris Masters in 2017, he won a tight first set in a tiebreak, seven points to four, before twice breaking the Krajinovic serve in the second to claim a 7-6 6-2 win and a place in the final, his first of the season.
Pospisil, meanwhile, has enjoyed an excellent week. The Canadian was undergoing a back surgery just over 12 months ago, but he has played with freedom and precision so far in Montpellier. He reached the semifinals without dropping a set, beating Aljaz Bedene and his compatriot Denis Shapovalov handily, before Richard Gasquet retired trailing 1-6 0-1. But Pospisil had to battle hard to see off the challenge of David Goffin in the semifinals, breaking the Belgian when he served for the match in the third en route to a 6-3 1-6 7-5 win.
However, the odds look to be against Pospisil in this match. Monfils has won all five of their previous matches without dropping a set and, whilst Pospisil has been serving well and volleying crisply, it is clearly a match-up the Frenchman enjoys. His court-coverage and skill as a counter-puncher should allow him to force Pospisil into going for the lines, which could lead to a costly number of unforced errors, particularly if Monfils can draw Pospisil into lengthy baseline exchanges.
Prediction: Monfils in 2
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