Canadian Open 2024: Gael Monfils vs Thanasi Kokkinakis preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick
Match Details
Fixture: Gael Monfils vs (Q) Thanasi Kokkinakis
Date: August 7, 2024
Tournament: National Bank Open 2024
Round: First Round (Round of 64)
Venue: IGA Stadium, Montreal, Canada
Category: ATP Masters 1000
Surface: Hard
Prize Money: $6,795,555
Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Sky Sports | Canada - Sportsnet, TVA Sports
Gael Monfils vs Thanasi Kokkinakis preview
Former top-10 player Gael Monfils will take on qualifier Thanasi Kokkinakis in the first round of the Canadian Open 2024.
Monfils made the semifinals of the Qatar Open during the hardcourt swing at the start of the season and also reached the fourth round of the Indian Wells Masters. He had a tough time on clay, going 3-6 on the red dirt, and didn't advance beyond the second round of any tournament on the surface.
The Frenchman had a decent run on grass, starting with a semifinal showing at the Mallorca Championships, losing to eventual champion Alejandro Tabilo. He beat Adrian Mannarino and Stan Wawrinka before losing to Grigor Dimitrov in the third round of Wimbledon.
Kokkinakis secured a 7-6 (4), 6-3 win over Roberto Carballes Baena in the first round of the Canadian Open qualifiers. He next faced another Spaniard, Roberto Bautista Agut, for a spot in the main draw. The Australian lost the first set despite being up by a break at the start.
Kokkinakis was on the backfoot in the second set but overcame a 3-1 deficit to take the set and force a decider. He broke Bautista Agut's serve at the start of the third set and held on to the advantage until the end to register a 5-7, 7-5, 6-4 comeback win.
Gael Monfils vs Thanasi Kokkinakis head-to-head
The two have split their previous two meetings evenly to tie the head-to-head at 1-1. Kokkinakis won their most recent encounter at last year's Atlanta Open in three sets.
Gael Monfils vs Thanasi Kokkinakis odds
(Odds are sourced from BetMGM)
Gael Monfils vs Thanasi Kokkinakis prediction
Kokkinakis dug deep to get past Bautista Agut and seal his place in the main draw. It was a good fight on his part, especially after last week's debacle. He blew a couple of match points before retiring in the third set against Sebastian Korda in the Citi Open quarterfinals, and the American went on to win the title.
The Canadian Open has proven to be a happy hunting ground for Monfils. He made the quarterfinals last year, and has a 24-11 record at the venue, making it his most successful Masters tournament.
Since losing in the first round on his debut here in 2008, the Frenchman has won at least one match in every subsequent appearance. Kokkinakis, meanwhile, has only one win from two appearances at the venue. While Monfils lost their previous match, he should be able to get the better of his younger rival at one of his favorite venues.
Pick: Gael Monfils to win in three sets.