A quartet of eclectic characters will headline the Day 1 action at the Paris Masters. An all-French affair features Gael Monfils and Benoit Paire, while Bernard Tomic is going up against Fabio Fognini.
Benoit Paire vs. Gael Monfils
Monfils and Paire will be going head-to-head for the first time in their careers when the two Frenchmen collide in round one of the BNP Paribas Masters on Monday. Thanks to a closing run that includes a fourth-round performance at the U.S. Open and a runner-up showing in Tokyo, Paire has a chance to finish the season in the top 20. But is he losing just a bit of steam down the stretch? The 26-year-old barely got past Norbert Gombos in last week’s Valencia opener before looking disgruntled from start to finish in a loss to eventual champion Joao Sousa.
Like his countryman, Monfils is a mercurial player who has never made the most of his talent. This year has been especially lackluster for the former world No. 7, whose fall swing consists of nothing more than a semifinal finish in Vienna. This tussle is going to be heavy on entertainment, show-stopping winners, and cringe-worthy errors. Monfils will not remain focused enough to seal the deal in two, but in the end he should be hungrier for a win than Paire–who appears to be ready for vacation at the end of a resurgent 2015 campaign.
Pick:Â Monfils in 3
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Fabio Fognini vs. Bernard Tomic
Comparisons are easily drawn between Paire and Fognini and it would not be surprising to see their weeks in Paris start–and end–in similar fashion. Fognini also made a run to the U.S. Open fourth round by upsetting Rafael Nadal and has an opportunity to finish 2015 in the top 20. But the Italian got clobbered by David Ferrer in the Vienna semifinals and lost his Valencia opener to Mischa Zverev.
Up first for Fognini on Monday is a second career meeting with Tomic. Their only previous encounter came three years ago on the grass courts of Eastbourne, where Fognini prevailed 4-6, 6-3, 7-5. Tomic’s most consistent season on tour has him at No. 18 in the world. Since reaching the Shanghai quarterfinals, though, the Aussie has lost opening matches in Stockholm (to Marcos Baghdatis) and Valencia (to Pablo Cuevas). Tomic should be able to turn things around with an assist from Fognini, who can start focusing on doubles with Simone Bolelli at the World Tour Finals.
Pick: Tomic in 2
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Taking monfils in three and Fabio in 2
Look at the way Fabio is playing Tomic, he seems completely disinterested. If he was playing Rafa he would be doing his best to win. I find all players seem completely focussed when playing Rafa, that’s why the poor guy has such a hard time. No one gives him anything on court, they all want an ‘I beat Rafa’ badge
Fog trails Tomic 36 13.
Tomic beat Fognini 63 62
Benoit Paire vs. Gael Monfils one set all.
It looked like Gael was running away with it.
B.Paire beat G. Monfils 2-6, 7- 6(7), 6-4.
Paire had 55 UEs!
Wow. That’s 1.77 errors per game
monfils is disgrace to tennis, he just stopped playing at 6-2; 4-0. Tennis fans want to see competition, not this friendly circus.
Paire lulled him to sleep, Fognini style
Most people are so wrapped up in one of Tenngrand’s classic round ‘n round the mulberry bush ‘discussions’ barely any attention is being paid to the matches in progress.
This is the last Masters of the season for goodness sake!!!!!
absurd comeback by Paire
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Paire to continue momentum into next match and win in straights.
wowzer