Rotterdam R1 previews and predictions: Goffin vs. Monfils, Nishikori vs. Herbert

Gael Monfils will be back in action following a long week in Sofia when he faces David Goffin on Tuesday in Rotterdam. Meanwhile, Montpellier runner-up Pierre-Hugues Herbert has to go up against No. 1 seed Kei Nishikori.

(8) David Goffin vs. Gael Monfils

Goffin and Monfils will be squaring off for the fifth time in their careers at the ATP level when they clash in round one of the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament on Tuesday. The head-to-head series stands at 3-1 in favor of Goffin, who is 2-1 against Monfils on hard courts–although three of their showdowns have required final sets (including at last year’s French Open) and the only exception was a retirement by the Frenchman at the 2017 U.S. Open.

Monfils is making a quick turnaround on the heels of a semifinal showing in Sofia, where he upset Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarters before getting smoked by eventual champion Daniil Medvedev. Injuries have plagued Goffin over the past two seasons, which is part of the reason why he is struggling just a bit at 21st in the world. The Belgian is only 2-3 this year and coming off an opening 6-4, 6-4 loss in Montpellier to Filip Krajinovic. Monfils should benefit from enough rest in between tournaments to take advantage of a vulnerable opponent.

Pick: Monfils in 3

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(1) Kei Nishikori vs. (SE) Pierre-Hugues Herbert

Herbert is even less-rested than Monfils, as the Frenchman is coming off a runner-up performance in Montpellier that has him up to a career-high ranking of No. 36. He has won multiple matches at three straight tournaments to begin the 2019 campaign, also advancing to the Doha quarterfinals and the Australian Open third round.

Up first for Herbert on Tuesday is Nishikori, who won their only previous encounter 6-2, 7-6(4) three years ago in Miami. The world No. 7 from Japan has been outstanding this season, boasting an 8-1 record that includes a title in Brisbane and a quarterfinal run at the Aussie Open. This should be routine Nishikori, as Herbert’s style of net-charging tactics plays right into the hands of an opponent whose passing shots are one of the strengths of his game. The underdog’s certain fatigue also won’t help his chances.

Pick: Nishikori in 2

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