At 37, Gael Monfils has entered the final phase of his illustrious career. The Frenchman has served the sport for years, producing thrilling moments every now and then. Known as one of the most athletic players out there on the court, he never fails to disappoint fans with his antics. Time and again, he has hinted that his retirement is close and he wants to spend more time with his family. In what could potentially be his final US Open swing, the French legend will be seen in action at the Canadian Open this week.

However, things are only going to get tough for Monfils. He will face Thanasi Kokkinakis in the opening round, a player who can beat any opponent on his day. As things get interesting, the Frenchman would have to pull up his socks and give it his all right from the word go.

Gael Monfils vs Thanasi Kokkinakis: Preview

While Monfils was seen in action at the Paris Olympic Games recently, Kokkinakis played on the ATP Tour. A player known to put on consistent performances, Monfils has had a rather poor 2024 season. He has yet to reach the final of a tournament this year, let alone win a title. His best performance came at the Qatar Open and Mallorca Championships where he reached the semifinal. With time running out in his career, Monfils would look to bounce back quickly and make a positive start in Montreal.

On the contrary, Kokkinakis has been active both on the ATP Tour as well as the Challenger Tour. Despite disappointing in the former, he has found success in the Challenger Tour, winning the title in Sarasota. Further, he is entering the Canadian Open main draw after some big upsets in the qualifying rounds, defeating the likes of Roberto Carbelles Baena and Roberto Bautista Agut. As a result, the Australian star would be confident going into the match against Monfils.

Monfils vs. Kokkinakis: Head-to-Head

The two players aren’t unfamiliar with the ATP Tour and have been around for long. Thus, they have found each other on the opposite ends of the court twice in the past few years. Their first encounter was in Adelaide back in 2022 which the Frenchman won in straight sets 7-5, 6-0. However, Kokkinakis came back strongly in Atlanta last year to defeat Monfils 1-6, 6-3, 7-6 (5). With the H2H battle all square, it will prove to be an enticing contest.

Prediction: Expect a see-saw battle

For Monfils, adjusting on the hard court after the clay-court Paris Olympics campaign might take some time. Kokkinakis would look to take full advantage of this situation and he is predicted to upset Monfils in their first-round encounter in Montreal. However, the Frenchman is a fighter on the court and won’t go down easily, with the match potentially lasting three sets. It is a match that you can’t miss and will take place later today.