2021 Wimbledon Championships First Round – Gael Monfils vs Christopher O’Connell Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
Where is Gael Monfils vs Christopher O’Connell taking place? Gael Monfils vs Christopher O’Connell will take place at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon, England
When is Gael Monfils vs Christopher O’Connell on and what time does it start? Gael Monfils vs Christopher O’Connell will take place on Monday 28th June, 2021 – not before 13:00 (UK) / 08:00 (US EST)
What surface is Gael Monfils vs Christopher O’Connell being played on? Gael Monfils vs Christopher O’Connell will be played on an outdoor grass court
Where can I get tickets for Gael Monfils vs Christopher O’Connell? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Gael Monfils vs Christopher O’Connell
What channel is Gael Monfils vs Christopher O’Connell on? Coverage of Wimbledon is shared between BBC and Eurosport
Where can I stream Gael Monfils vs Christopher O’Connell? If televised on BBC, this match can be streamed live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website. If the match is televised on Eurosport, subscribers can stream the match live on Eurosport Player
THE LOWDOWN
GAEL MONFILS
World number 16 Gael Monfils was the top seed at the Eastbourne International but he lost to a stiff test in three sets to lucky loser Max Purcell. The 34-year-old has struggled with his body more than usual this season and that shows in a 3-8 record for the year so far. Monfils is a popular player on tour and with fans but it is unclear if he has the fitness these days to last in a five-set format. The Frenchman has 10 ATP titles to his name and has reached the semi-finals of both the US Open and Roland-Garros. Monfils has enjoyed deep runs at all Grand Slams but Wimbledon remains his weakest major having never made it past the round of 16.
CHRISTOPHER O’CONNELL
27-year-old Christopher O’Connell has not won a match since the first round of the Australian Open this season. In fact, the Aussie has not won a match outside of Melbourne in 2021 with two good-looking wins over Jan-Lennard Struff and Dominik Koepfer at the start of the year promising more than has been delivered. O’Connell reached a career-high 111th in the ATP world rankings last September after reaching the second round of the US Open and that coupled with this year’s second round exit at the Australian Open are his best results at majors so far.
THE PREDICTION
Gael Monfils looks set to slowly slide down the ATP world rankings this season as the Frenchman simply cannot outlast the majority of his opponents. The 34-year-old is still capable of some truly unbelievable play but it is becoming fewer and further between and this first meeting with Christopher O’Connell is a potential banana skin. The Aussie will be fully aware of Monfils’ current shortcomings and simply staying in the match over five sets may see him grab a career win, just as Emil Russuvuori did against Monfils in the first round of the Australian Open. Such is the Frenchman’s fragility right now, taking O’Connell to win at least a set on Monday seems the most reasonable option.
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