ATP Montpellier 250 1/16-Finals
De Jong – Halys: 29.01.2025 Time TBA
H2H: 0-1
Jesper de Jong has lost four straight matches. So far this season, de Jong has played in three tournaments and lost every time in the opening round. His last win was over two months ago in Metz. Last week in Oeiras, Jesper lost against Draxl in straight sets under conditions similar to those of Montpellier. The previous year in Montpellier, Jesper lost in the opening qualifying round against Blanchet in straight sets. He has been lurking around the top 100 rankings for a while. He hopes to get there this season.
Quentin Halys has lost three of his last five matches. Two weeks ago, he reached the second round in Melbourne, losing against Fils in four sets. Quentin has played only three matches this season. He thrives on fast courts like in Montpellier. Halys has a big serve and usually delivers his best tennis on indoor courts. This is his seventh performance in Montpellier. The last time he played here was in 2023, losing against Fils in the quarterfinals. Reaching the quarterfinals was his best result in Montpellier.
Best Bet to Make
According to the bookies, Halys is the favorite in this matchup, and we agree. Quentin played solidly in Melbourne. On the other hand, Jesper has been struggling with his form for a while. Halys loves to play on indoor courts like this. He will also have the packed crowd on his side, and we expect him to dominate in this matchup.
That being said, Halys winning in straight sets is a value bet.
Value bet/ the best odds: Quentin Halys winning 2-0 @2.10 @bet365
Bellucci – Pouille: 28.01.2025 16:00 CEST
H2H: first meeting
Mattia Bellucci has lost four of his last five matches. The young Italian had a breakthrough in the 2024 season and entered the top 100 rankings. So far this season, Mattia has played three tournaments and holds a losing 1-3 record. Last week in Quimper, Bellucci played in the Challenger tournament, losing against Lestienne in the opening round in straight sets under almost exactly the same conditions as Montpellier this week. He had his biggest results at the Challenger Tour level on hard courts. This is his first appearance in Montpellier.
Lucas Pouille has lost three of his last five matches. At the beginning of the season, he played in Brisbane, failing to qualify for the main draw tournament. Two weeks ago in Melbourne, Pouille put up a big fight against Zverev in the opening round of the Australian Open. Sascha defeated Pouille in straight sets, but Lucas kept the match tight. Last year in Montpellier, Pouille lost in the opening round against Mayot in straight sets. His biggest result happened in 2018, winning the title.
Best Bet to Make
According to the bookies, Lucas is the slight favorite in this matchup, and we agree. He will have the packed crowd on his side. Bellucci has already had several poor performances this season. On the other hand, Pouille showed glimpses of his best form in Melbourne, and we expect him to dominate against Bellucci tomorrow.
That being said, Pouille winning is a value bet.
Value bet/ the best odds: Lucas Pouille winning @1.67 @bet365
Main Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
