Montpellier R2 preview and prediction: Griekspoor vs. Gasquet

Tallon Griekspoor and Richard Gasquet will be going head-to-head for the first time in their careers when they clash in round two of the Open Occitanie on Thursday.

This marks Gasquet’s final appearance in Montpellier, as he announced last season that he will retire at the 2025 French Open. The Frenchman is an awesome 29-9 lifetime at this tournament with three titles. From 2013 through 2018, Gasquet went on an unbelievable streak of three consecutive finals reached in Montpellier–with three titles and three runner-up performances. Of course, that version of Gasquet ain’t walkin’ through that door. The 38-year-old compiled a 4-14 record at the ATP level in 2024, which is why he struggling down at No. 132 in the rankings.

Ten years Gasquet’s junior, Griekspoor comes in at 46th in the world. The Dutchman played only one match during the Australian summer and lost right away at the Aussie Open to Hubert Hurkacz, but a move to indoor hard courts promises to be just what the doctor ordered. Griekspoor loves this surface; he has won 24 matches on it dating back to the start of 2023 after defeating compatriot and occasional doubles partner Botic van de Zandschulp 7-5, 6-3 on Tuesday.

Gasquet did well to beat fellow Frenchman Adrian Mannarino in easy straight sets during first-round action, but Mannarino has been little more than hopeless for more than a year now. Griekspoor represents a massive step up in competition. Gasquet might have a chance if it was on clay amidst a raucous Roland Garros atmosphere in which he will soon retire, but on an indoor hard court it almost certainly won’t go his way.

Pick: Griekspoor in 2