Now that the Australian Open is over, the February swing–albeit beginning in late January–is ready to get underway.
The Open Occitanie marks the first of 11 tournaments in between the Australian Open and the Indian Wells Masters, and the festivities will kick off with an opening-round showdown between Arthur Cazaux and Stan Wawrinka on Monday night. At extreme opposite ends of the career spectrum, Cazaux and Wawrinka will be going head-to-head for the first time.
Cazaux is off to a decent start to his 2025 campaign. The 22-year-old Frenchman advanced one round in Adelaide before falling to eventual champion Felix Auger-Aliassime 7-5 in the third set. Cazaux also won a match at the Australian Open, beating Sebastian Baez in a five-setter and losing to Jake Fearnley amidst an absolutely wild outer-court atmosphere.
There is no question that Wawrinka is slowing down in a big way as he approaches 40. The Swiss, who comes in at 156th in the rankings, compiled a 10-17 record on the main tour last season and is winless so far in 2025. He faced eventual quarterfinalist Lorenzo Sonego at Melbourne Park and succumbed 6-4, 5-7, 7-5, 7-5.
Cazaux is too good to get wiped off the court quickly and–even in a best-of-three indoor match–he would definitely have the physical edge over a 39-year-old Wawrinka if it turns into an extended contest.
Pick: Cazaux in 3
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