Better Collective A/S,
Sankt Annæ Plads 28, 1250 Kobenhavn K,
Denmark (DK)
Phone: +45-29919965
Email: [email protected]
CVR/Org.nr: 27652913
18+ | Wagering and T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly | Commercial content | Advertising disclosure
Thursday’s selection from the men’s event in Montreal comes from a relatively open section of the draw, as Gael Monfils (playing his first event since the Madrid Masters in early May) goes toe-to-toe with Jack Draper (a top prospect in the game who’s come through qualifying as the world No. 82) for a spot in the quarterfinals of a Masters 1000 event.
In this article:
August 12th, 00:00 UK Time
In a section of the draw that most would’ve expected to come down to the serve-and-volleying of Maxime Cressy taking on one of the top players in the world in Stefanos Tsitsipas, we instead get the highly-entertaining Monfils and big-serving young gun Draper.
The tennis world may just be better off, with these two likely to provide a much more enjoyable viewing experience in terms of style.
There are a few reasons, however, that it appears the wrong man is favoured in this matchup, as the rising star from England is actually over evens in the betting markets.
Much like our selection for the women’s event from Wednesday, I’m not sold on Monfils being shown this much respect after a prolonged absence over two wins this week. Especially considering he needed three sets to beat an out-of-form Pedro Martinez and a pair of rather lengthy tiebreaks to beat the one-dimensional Cressy.
Draper should provide a much more stern test for the Frenchman, having come through qualifying and then beating Hugo Gaston and Tsitsipas without having lost a set. His massive serve and forehand combination should earn him plenty of free points, but he doesn’t double fault nearly as much as someone like Cressy and is far more athletic with a more well-rounded game.
The biggest concern for the 20-year-old – who has all the talent needed to make it to the upper echelons of the men’s game in the near future – generally comes in hot and humid conditions. With his match being played, once again, in the evening, Draper shouldn’t run into too many issues in that regard.
There’s no doubt that the tennis world is much more acquainted with the exploits of Monfils in this matchup.
His talents and shotmaking abilities are known to every person that follows the sport.
Yet it’s also hard to deny that the market seems to be overvaluing his two victories this week after a lengthy absence from the game, undervaluing the upstart southpaw from Sutton, or both.
I’ll be backing Draper to pull off yet another upset and register his first quarterfinal at an ATP Masters event on Thursday evening in La Belle Province.
Odds as at 11:15 am on August 11th, 2022. Odds may now differ.
More Gael Monfils vs. Jack Draper Tips