After a thrilling week of tennis, just one match is left to be played at the 2019 ATP Rotterdam. It will be contested between Stan Wawrinka and Gael Monfils on Sunday, who both have reasons to feel confident going into the match. Whilst this match-up was not expected by many at the start of the week, it nonetheless promises to be a riveting contest. But who will claim the trophy?
Stan Wawrinka vs Gael Monfils
Wawrinka leads their head-to-head 3-2, but they last played in the fourth round of the 2017 French Open which, in tennis parlance, was quite some time ago. Indeed, much has changed for both players since and both have a point (or two) to prove after having been waylaid by injuries for much of the past two years, Wawrinka particularly so. After falling outside the top 200 last season, questions have been raised about his chance of climbing back into the top ten.
So far this week, however, the pair have cut a swathe through the draw, with each man having played something approaching his best tennis. Where the Swiss has hit his way forcefully through his opponents, crushing them under the weight of his unrelenting power from the baseline, Monfils has trusted in his athleticism and guile. In the final, the contest between Wawrinka’s heavy-hitting and Monfils’ superb court coverage should lead to some excellent rallies.
Curiously, both Wawrinka and Monfils have made it to 28 previous singles finals. But where the Swiss has won 16 titles (including three Majors), the Frenchman has claimed only seven titles. And although Monfils has made two trips to finals in 2018, as compared to Wawrinka whose most recent final came at the 2017 French Open, Monfils, despite winning in Doha, was defeated in Antwerp and has never won more than one title inside a single season.
Thus when their conversion rates in previous finals are considered, Wawrinka looks to be the man better suited to the big occasion. Expect the former world #3 to press that advantage with a straight sets win.
Prediction: Wawrinka in 2
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