Though the dust is only now settling on another memorable Australian Open, tour-level action continues at the ATP Montpellier Open. There are six intriguing matches on day two and, as always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate including Pablo Llamas Ruiz vs Richard Gasquet. But who will book their place in the second round?
ATP Montpellier Day 2 Predictions
Harold Mayot vs Lucas Pouille
Head-to-head: first meeting
This pair are at very different stages of their careers. Unsurprisingly, they also have very different levels of experience. Lucas Pouille has been ranked inside the top 10 and has won 140 tour-level wins to his name as well as five titles. Harold Mayot has won three tour-level matches.
Still, this could be a good chance to earn a fourth victory. The 21-year-old has areas of his game he needs to develop, but he has the quality to establish himself as a tour-level regular. Pouille, despite his considerable talent, still struggles to stay fit and doesn’t have much rhythm or sharpness as a result.
Prediction: Mayot in 3
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Hugo Gaston vs Denis Shapovalov
Head-to-head: first meeting
Denis Shapovalov is another player whose body has let them down of late. When on song, few can withstand the Canadian’s power, but he has struggled badly for consistency and he has not yet won a set this season, losing to Sebastian Ofner in his opener in Auckland and then Jakub Mensik at the same stage in Melbourne. With Hugo Gaston likely to give him a variety of looks and keep him off-balance, this could be another difficult day for Shapovalov.
Prediction: Gaston in 2
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Antoine Escoffier vs Alexandre Muller
Head-to-head: first meeting
Antoine Escoffier is yet to break into the top 100 and, for the most part, plies his trade at Challenger and Futures level. But he did reach as high as world #135 in the rankings last October and this is something of a free-hit for the Frenchman. The problem for him is that he is up against a player who has the edge on him in most departments in Alexandre Muller.
Muller did fall in the first ride at the French Open, but performed valiantly in a gripping five set loss to his compatriot Hugo Grenier, and that followed an encouraging run to the quarterfinals in Auckland. Back on home turf this week, it would be no great surprise to see the seventh seed return to at least the quarterfinal stage.
Prediction: Muller in 2
Main photo credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
