Wimbledon 2024: Grigor Dimitrov vs Gael Monfils preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds, and pick
Match Details
Fixture: (10) Grigor Dimitrov vs Gael Monfils
Date: July 5, 2024
Tournament: Wimbledon 2024
Round: Third Round (Round of 32)
Venue: All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, England
Category: Grand Slam
Surface: Grass
Prize Money: £50,000,000
Live Telecast: USA - ESPN, Tennis Channel | UK - BBC | Canada - TSN/RDS, ESPN International
Grigor Dimitrov vs Gael Monfils preview
World No. 10 Grigor Dimitrov will face Gael Monfils in the third round of the 2024 Wimbledon.
Dimitrov secured a 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 win over Dusan Lajovic to reach the second round, where teenager Shang Juncheng awaited him. What was expected to be a routine affair turned into an engaging contest until the end.
The Bulgarian had trouble making significant inroads on his younger rival's serve, and the latter eventually went on a three-game run towards the end to take the first set. Shang led by a break in the second set as well, only for Dimitrov to peg him back. However, the teen nabbed the set with a clinical performance in the tie-break.
With his back up against the wall, Dimitrov raised his level. He didn't face a single break point from the third set onwards, and completed a stunning 5-7, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 comeback win.
Monfils upset 22nd seed Adrian Mannarino in his opener to book a second-round date with three-time Major champion Stan Wawrinka. Both defended their serves exceptionally in the first set, which led to a tie-break. The Frenchman edged out his rival in it to claim the set.
An early break of serve in the second set put Monfils in the lead, and he kept Wawrinka at bay until the end to nab another set. The two were evenly matched in the third set when the play was suspended at 5-5. When the match resumed the following day, they managed to take the set to a tie-break, in which the Frenchman had the last laugh to register a 7-6 (5), 6-4, 7-6 (3) win.
Grigor Dimitrov vs Gael Monfils head-to-head
Monfils leads Dimitrov 4-1 in the head-to-head. The Frenchman won their previous encounter at the 2016 Miami Open in three sets.
Grigor Dimitrov vs Gael Monfils odds
(Odds are sourced from BetMGM)
Grigor Dimitrov vs Gael Monfils prediction
Monfils has been in fine form during this grass swing. He made the semifinals of the Mallorca Championships last week and has played some sublime tennis to reach the third round of Wimbledon for the first time since 2018. He won 82 percent of his first serve points against Wawrinka, and struck 37 winners compared to 22 unforced errors.
Dimitrov was expected to cruise to an easy win over Shang but the talented youngster gave a good account of himself as he put the Bulgarian through the wringer. The 33-year-old upped the ante when it mattered, and was unstoppable in the last three sets.
Monfils and Dimitrov are set to renew their rivalry after eight years. The former has easily bossed around the latter in this match-up. The Frenchman cannot be underestimated, and with so many upsets already in the tournament, he could add another one to the list. However, the Bulgarian has been in good form this year, and could finally score a long-awaited win over his older rival.
Pick: Grigor Dimitrov to win in four sets.