Day 4 of ATP action in Montpellier finally sees world #3 Alexander Zverev in action for the first time this week alongside recent Australian Open quarter-finalist and home favourite Gael Monfils. To predict all of today’s matches, colleague Ryan Schick joins us.
ATP Montpellier Day 4 Predictions
Damir Dzumhur vs Nikoloz Basilashvili
Head-to-head: 0-0
If there’s one player who it isn’t worth predicting matches for on the ATP Tour, it would definitely be Basilashvili. The Georgian has in the past lost a huge number of matches in a row only to win an event the very next week. Funnily enough, he’s coming into this week on a six match losing streak so who knows if the same thing will happen here. On the other side of the court, Dzumhur has gotten the attention more this week with his comments saying Djokovic is the greatest of all time but his tennis in his qualifying matches and opening round has also been impressive, breezing through without dropping a set. On an indoor hardcourt Basilashvili controls the outcome with a far bigger game so it really depends what version of last year’s Indian Wells finalist shows up.
Prediction: Basilashvili in 3
Gael Monfils vs Mikael Ymer
Head-to-head: Ymer 1-0
For most of last year, Gael Monfils was an absolute mess, perhaps highlighted best by Miakel Ymer routing him at Roland Garros last summer. Only a month into 2022, things are very different now with the Frenchman having not only won Adelaide but following it up with a quarterfinal showing at the Australian Open. Ymer now ranked 83 is solid but possesses no real weapons and against a Monfils in this form in the country he has played his best tennis in, this is perhaps asking too much from Ymer to even keep this relatively close.
Prediction: Monfils in 2
Adrian Mannarino vs David Goffin
Head to head: 5-1 Goffin
Goffin has unfortunately struggled with injuries recently, but he appears to be ready to take on a full schedule. He has not started the year strong, retiring against Andy Murray in Sydney and losing first round at Melbourne 1 and the Australian Open. Mannarino had a great Australian Open, making the fourth round after consecutive wins over Hubert Hurkacz and Aslan Karatsev. The Frenchman looked good here, crushing young Spanish talent Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the first round. Mannarino is a tough matchup for the struggling Goffin. The Frenchman is consistent and doesn’t make man errors, forcing his opponent to beat him. Goffin has had Mannarino’s number in the past, but they have not played since 2019. Goffin does not have the firepower at current form to overcome that, and Mannarino will handle him.
Prediction: Mannarino in 2
Soonwoo Kwon vs Richard Gasquet
Head to head: 1-0 Kwon
Kwon will look to continue the positive form he ended last year with. He had a strong year at the Challenger level and in early 2022 has shown signs he will be a regular on the main tour. Former Top 10 player Richard Gasquet already announced this will likely be his last season, and he showed his age when he retired in his second round match at the Australian Open due to injury.
Kwon topped Holger Rune in a thrilling first round match down under, and later pushed eventual quarterfinalist Denis Shapovalov to five sets. Gasquet has the surface advantage with his strength of faster grass and indoor hard courts. Kwon played a much quicker first round match and already has a physical edge. This one will be close, but Gasquet will not have quite enough in his legs to hold up against Kwon who will be able to move him and wear him down.
Prediction: Kwon in 3
Alexander Zverev vs Mackenzie McDonald
Head-to-head: Zverev 1-0
It’s hard to know where it all went wrong for Zverev in Australia. Having breezed through to the fourth round many thought he would go all the way; instead he ended up losing in straight sets to Denis Shapovalov of Russia. With that no doubt playing on the back of his mind it’s clear he’ll look to steady the ship with a title this week and is no doubt the favorite to do so. The German ended last year with strong indoor showings winning Vienna and Turin with a semifinal showing in Paris in-between them. I expect him to continue that sort of form this week here and if he does it’s hard to see anyone coming close to beating him.
Prediction: Zverev in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
