Our tennis Writer previews the ATP World Tour 250 series event taking place in Montpellier from 5 – 11 February.
Montpellier, one of France’s fastest growing cities, is gearing up for a spectacular week as it hosts the ATP World Tour 250 series from the 5th to 11th of February. After debuting in late October, this indoor hardcourt event has moved to the modern ARENA, which seats 14,000 passionate tennis fans. Although the draw might be lighter than usual given the Australian Open just wrapped up, the increased prize pool has attracted a competitive field of eager contenders.
French hopefuls have historically thrived in Montpellier, with stars like Tsonga and Gasquet aiming to continue their nation’s legacy. However, the defending champion, Alex Zverev, will be taking a break ahead of the crucial American swing.
ATP World Tour 250 Series | 5 February – 11 February | The Arena, Montpellier
Past Champions
2017: Alex Zverev
2016: Richard Gasquet
2015: Richard Gasquet
2014: Gael Monfils
2013: Richard Gasquet
Top Seeds to Watch
1- David Goffin
2- Lucas Pouille
3- Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
4- Damir Dzumhur
5- Richard Gasquet
6- Andrey Rublev
7- David Ferrer
8- Yuichi Sugita
1st Quarter: Belgian David Goffin leads this section, facing the tough Spaniard David Ferrer. Goffin closed 2017 strong with wins over Pouille and Tsonga, both potential opponents this week. While his physical limitations against power players exist, expect a gritty battle. Karen Khachanov could spring a surprise here, with Ferrer showing flashes of form despite his age.
2nd Quarter: Two-time Montpellier champion Richard Gasquet looks set to shine again. Though he recently lost to Federer, his performance was promising. The challenge comes early with a tough match against Medvedev, but Gasquet’s local success makes him a favourite to advance.
3rd Quarter: Possibly the toughest and most exciting cluster, featuring NextGen prodigy Andrey Rublev. Starting the year 6-2, Rublev is primed for a breakthrough, though Jo-Wilfried Tsonga stands in his way. Tsonga impressed in the Australian Open with strong wins over Shapovalov and Kyrgios.
4th Quarter: Lucas Pouille and Yuichi Sugita headline this section. However, Mischa Zverev, the elder brother of Alex, might offer the best betting value. This quarter is seen as the weakest, and progressing from here could be a tough road against stronger opponents later.
Outright Winner Tip: Andrey Rublev at 12/1 is a compelling pick. The young Russian’s impressive skills and form position him as a genuine contender, with Tsonga likely to be his biggest roadblock in his quarter.
Written by Damien Kayat for Hollywoodbets.net
