Gael Monfils vs Sebastian Baez Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP French Open

Prediction published on 29/05/2023, 09:23  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 29/05/2023 at 10:23 in Tennis Predictions

36-year-old Gael Monfils takes on Sebastian Baez in the Roland Garros first round. Next up for the winner is either sixth seeded Holger Rune or Christopher Eubanks. Monfils is in this tournament thanks to his protected ranking. He's down at 394th in the rankings at present and has only played eight matches this year. His only win came in a Challenger Tour event when beating then world number 213 Evan Furness, who retired when 3-6 0-2 down. Monfils is yet to win on the ATP Tour this year, losing all four of his matches. He didn't play his first tournament this year until the Indian Wells event in March. A foot injury had kept him off court since last October. In previous years, Monfils has reached the last four at Roland Garros but that was achieved 13 years ago.  He's lost four of his five clay court matches played in 2023.

Sebastian Baez began this Grand Slam ranked 42nd in the world but is up to 39th in the live rankings. He's had a busy year on clay and has played in both South America and Europe. In South America, the Argentinian won the title in Cordoba, the last eight in Rio and the semi-finals in Santiago. Moving onto the European clay court tour, Baez got to the last eight in Estoril but then only won two of his next seven matches. His form improved with a run to the last four in the Turin Challenger Tour event. He's bidding to again reach the second round at Roland Garros having done so last year. He should have too much for Monfils and can get into the last 64.