Gael Monfils vs Jiri Lehecka Prediction & Betting Tips - Belgrade, Serbia, Qualifying

Prediction published on 17/04/2023, 05:25  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 17/04/2023 at 07:42 in Tennis Predictions

Sixth seeded Jiri Lehecka faces Gael Monfils in the first round of the Srpska Open. The winner will face unseeded opposition in the second round of this outdoor clay tournament with Federico Coria the most likely opponent. Lehecka began this tournament ranked 36th in the world so his main aim at present is to get into the top 32 and secure a seeding at the upcoming French Open. The 21-year-old made a confident start to the European clay court season, reaching the last 16 of the Monte Carlo Masters where he lost in three sets to Taylor Fritz. Lehecka has reached one quarter final and a semi-final this year and is 15th in the Live ATP Race based on ranking points earned this year. He won five clay court tournaments on the Challenger Tour and will be out to establish himself as a constant threat on the ATP Tour.

Gael Monfils is 37 years old in September and down at 322 in the latest ranking list and received a wild card to play in this tournament. The Frenchman didn't play his first match of 2023 until March and he's still waiting for his first win. Monfils lost in both Indian Wells and Miami and also a Challenger Tour event held in Phoenix. His most recent match was in the Miami Masters where he took on fellow Frenchman Ugo Humbert and retired in the first set when the score was 3-3. It's 15 years since Monfils reached the last four of the French Open. He's had little success on clay in the past seven years and our tip here is for Lehecka to beat Monfils in straight sets.