Vienna 2024: Lorenzo Musetti vs Gael Monfils preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick | Erste Bank Open
Match Details
Fixture: (6) Lorenzo Musetti vs Gael Monfils
Date: October 24, 2024
Tournament: Erste Bank Open 2024
Round: Second Round (Round of 16)
Venue: Wiener Stadthalle, Vienna, Austria
Category: ATP 500
Surface: Hard (Indoor)
Prize Money: €2,470,310
Live Telecast: US - Tennis Channel | UK - Sky Sports | Canada - TSN
Lorenzo Musetti vs Gael Monfils preview
Sixth seed Lorenzo Musetti will take on Gael Monfils in the second round of the Erste Bank Open 2024.
Musetti was up against compatriot Lorenzo Sonego in the first round here. The former broke the latter's serve only once in the opening set, and that proved to be more than enough for him to claim the set. The 22-year-old wrapped up the second set in a hurry as he swept five games in a row to register a 6-3, 6-2 win.
Monfils drew fellow Frenchman Quentin Halys in his opener here. The veteran overcame a break deficit in the first set, and then gained the upper hand in the ensuing tie-break to take the set, though he needed three set points to get the job done. Both were evenly matched at the start of the second set.
However, Monfils landed the first blow as he broke his younger rival's serve in the fifth game to go 3-2 up, and consolidated the break with a hold of serve to make it 4-2. Halys later served to stay in the match at 5-3, and while he fended off the first two match points, he couldn't counter the 38-year-old's attack on the third point, which sealed a 7-6 (5), 6-3 win in the latter's favor.
Lorenzo Musetti vs Gael Monfils head-to-head
Musetti leads Monfils 2-1 in the head-to-head. He won their previous encounter at this year's Paris Olympics in straight sets.
Lorenzo Musetti vs Gael Monfils odds
(Odds are sourced from BetMGM)
Lorenzo Musetti vs Gael Monfils prediction
Musetti had an incredible few months, during which he reached three finals, the Wimbledon semifinals, and won the bronze medal at the Olympics. However, he bowed out early from his last two tournaments, losing to Bu Yunchaokete in Beijing and David Goffin in Shanghai.
Musetti was at his best once against Sonego in the first round and didn't face a single break point throughout the match. Monfils, on the other hand, was tested by Halys but had all the answers. He tallied his 25th win of the season, while the young Italian notched up his 39th of the year with his first-round win.
While Musetti leads Monfils in their rivalry, both of his wins have come on clay. The French veteran won their only encounter on indoor hardcourts, coincidentally in Vienna as well, three years ago. The 38-year-old has a 4-11 record against top 20 players this season, including a win over Carlos Alcaraz.
Monfils has proven that he is still able to keep up with the next generation of players. While he has the goods to challenge Musetti, the latter will be favored to come out on top yet again, despite the early exits from his last two tournaments.
Pick: Lorenzo Musetti to win in three sets.