🎾 ATP Monte Carlo: Rublev vs Monfils

🎾 ATP Monte Carlo: Rublev vs Monfils – Match Preview

🧠 Form & Context

🟨 Andrey Rublev

• 📉 Momentum lost: After opening 2025 with a Doha title, Rublev has spiraled with early-round exits to Machac, Nakashima, and Etcheverry.
• 🧠 Confidence crisis: Visibly frustrated and fragile on court—clinging to a Top 10 ranking more on past results than present form.
• 👥 New partnership with Marat Safin: Brings intrigue and experience—Safin’s influence may stabilize Rublev’s emotional volatility.
• 🏆 Clay comfort: A former Monte Carlo champion (2023), Rublev’s heavy groundstrokes work well on slow clay—if his mind cooperates.

🟥 Gaël Monfils

• 🔥 Rejuvenated veteran: One of the best starts to a season in years—15 wins already in 2025, full of energy and sharpness.
• 📊 Career revival in motion: SF in Auckland, R16 in Miami, and an impressive R1 Monte Carlo win over Marozsan.
• 🎯 Monte Carlo success: Runner-up in 2016, semifinalist in 2015—his most successful Masters stop.
• ⏳ Now or never: Healthy and dangerous, Monfils sees every Masters opportunity as a potential swan song run.

🔍 Match Breakdown

On paper, Rublev brings more firepower, but mentally and emotionally, this is a coin flip. Monfils is brimming with confidence and freedom, while Rublev is still battling himself as much as his opponents.

Rublev must serve well and avoid mid-match implosions. His baseline dominance works if he stays composed. However, Monfils will throw in pace changes, variety, and crowd energy to test Rublev’s patience.

Look for Monfils to attack Rublev’s second serve, use drop shots and slices to keep him uncomfortable, and dance along the baseline to extend rallies. Rublev, meanwhile, needs to play first-strike tennis with purpose—not panic.

🔮 Prediction

Pick: Monfils in 3 sets

Rublev has the higher ceiling, but Monfils is looser, fresher, and in better form. If the Frenchman keeps his energy sharp and the crowd engaged, the upset is live—and quite likely.