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Match Details
Fixture: (12) Tallon Griekspoor vs (WC) Gael Monfils
Date: August 3, 2023
Tournament: Citi Open 2023
Round: Third round (Round of 16)
Venue: Washington D.C., United States
Category: ATP 500
Surface: Hard
Prize money: $2,013,940
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Amazon Prime Video | Canada - TSN
Tallon Griekspoor vs Gael Monfils preview
12th seed Tallon Griekspoor will take on Gael Monfils in the third round of the 2023 Citi Open on Thursday.
After a first-round bye, Griekspoor was up against Liam Broady in the second round. The former secured a break of serve at the start of the first set and defended his lead quite well, saving four break points later on.
While Griekspoor wasted a set point on Broady's serve at 5-3, he closed out the set himself with ease in the following game. The 27-year-old then broke his opponent's serve twice to go 5-1 up in the second set. He wrapped up the match soon after that to win 6-4, 6-2.
Monfils scored a straight sets win over Bjorn Fratangelo to set up a second-round date against fifth seed Alexander Bublik. A single break of serve in his favor proved to be enough for the 36-year-old to capture the first set.
Monfils struck first in the second set as well, going up a break to lead 2-1. Bublik fought back to level the score but couldn't sustain his level. The Frenchman went on another three-game run to go 5-3 up.
After a hold of serve by Bublik, Monfils stepped up to serve for the match at 5-4. He initially wasted three match points and then had to save a couple of break points as well. He finally closed out the proceedings on his fourth match point to win 6-3, 6-4.
Tallon Griekspoor vs Gael Monfils head-to-head
This will be the first meeting between them, so the head-to-head stands at 0-0 for now.
Tallon Griekspoor vs Gael Monfils odds
(Odds are sourced from BetMGM)
Tallon Griekspoor vs Gael Monfils prediction
Monfils' second-round win over Bublik marked the first time he has won consecutive matches since last year's Canadian Open. The Frenchman was the underdog in the last round given his recent results, but he took control of the reins right from the get-go.
Monfils's ballstriking against Bublik proved that the veteran is far from done. He struck 24 winners against 10 unforced errors. Griekspoor barely broke a sweat against Broady as well. He had a stellar day on serve and didn't face a single break point.
Monfils hasn't dropped a set all so far and will be itching to continue the momentum. His court coverage remains impressive as ever, and he is capable of hitting the ball quite well, even when on the run. Griekspoor will be aiming to keep the points short to avoid letting his opponent settle into a rhythm.
Griekspoor will be the favorite, given his ranking and results. But if Monfils continues to play like this, he's certainly capable of continuing his journey in Washington.
Pick: Gael Monfils to win in three sets.
