Jannik Sinner won the Open Sud de France in 2023, but needless to say he will not be taking his talents to Montpellier this time around after making a run to the Australian Open final and with no week off in between tournaments. Still, this ATP 250 event features a solid field with a nice mix of veterans and youngsters. Andy Murray, Gael Monfils, and Lucas Pouille are in the draw, while contestants at the other end of the career spectrum are Holger Rune, Arthur Cazaux, and Flavio Cobolli.
It’s time to break down the draw and make predictions.
Open Sud de France
Where: Montpellier, France
Surface: Indoor hard
Prize money: 579,320 Euros
Points: 250
Top seed: Holger Rune
2023 champion: Jannik Sinner (not playing)
Rune took a late wild card into Montpellier after losing early at the Australian Open–to Cazaux in the third round. The 20-year-old Dane has a very favorable draw this coming week as he looks to get back on track. Alexandre Muller is Rune’s nearest seed and the other two seeds in the top half of the bracket are injury-plagued veterans in Monfils and Borna Coric. Like Monfils, Richard Gasquet is well past his prime and could meet Rune in round two.
The bottom half of the draw is much deeper, home to Murray, Cazaux, Alexander Bublik, Felix Auger-Aliassime, and Denis Shapovalov. Murray has an intriguing opener on his hands against Benoit Paire in a matchup between two big names who could use a win in the worst way. Bublik’s first match will likely come against Shapovalov, while Auger-Aliassime is expected to kick off his title bid against Cazaux.
Hot: Arthur Cazaux, Flavio Cobolli
Cold: Alexander Bublik, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Borna Coric, Andy Murray, Gael Monfils, Denis Shapovalov, Benoit Paire, Lucas Pouille, Michael Mmoh
Quarterfinal predictions: Holger Rune over Benjamin Bonzi, Flavio Cobolli over Borna Coric, Arthur Cazaux over Andy Murray, and Alexander Bublik over Alexander Shevchenko
Semifinals: Holger Rune over Flavio Cobilli and Arthur Cazaux over Alexander Bublik
Final: Rune over Cazaux
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Rune picked up a bit of a knee injury in Melbourne, so not sure why he’s playing this.
one of the easier chances he will get for another ATP title
Never back Paire 😉
Think I might back Bublik to go a few matches, one of the few times Ill do that.
And back to proper coverage on Tennistv…
Paire wins his first match in nearly two years at Andy’s expense