Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the ATP Dubai match.
Gaël Monfils returns to action after a month-long absence, which could negatively impact his performance in Dubai. The Frenchman had a strong run in Australia, winning the Auckland ATP 250 title, but withdrew from the Australian Open due to fatigue after two intense weeks. Meanwhile, Matteo Berrettini is in great shape and boasts a powerful serve, a key advantage on Dubai’s fast courts.
Gaël Monfils
At 38, Gaël Monfils has adapted his playing style compared to his younger years. Once known for his incredible speed and baseline defence, he now relies more on his serve and powerful groundstrokes. However, fitness concerns have become more frequent. He has lost all three previous encounters against Matteo Berrettini, including two at Grand Slam tournaments. Notably, in his last five matches against higher-ranked opponents, Gaël has played at least one tiebreak in every match.
Matteo Berrettini
Matteo Berrettini is in excellent form, having won three ATP 250 titles over the past two seasons (Marrakech, Gstaad, Kitzbühel). At the recent ATP Masters event in Doha, he impressed by defeating Novak Djokovic and Tallon Griekspoor before falling to eventual finalist Jack Draper. In Qatar, Berrettini fired 52 aces in just three matches, with his first-serve percentage exceeding 75%. He also has a strong record against veteran players, winning six of his last seven matches against opponents over 30.
Gaël Monfils vs Matteo Berrettini Prediction
Gaël Monfils has been inactive for a month, whereas Matteo Berrettini arrives in Dubai after an impressive run in Doha. The Italian has already beaten the Frenchman three times, each time covering a -1.5 game handicap. That looks like the best betting option here.
