ATP star Gael Monfils is consistently making progress in his form. The Frenchman, despite facing a fair share of ups and downs, is making efforts to bring out the best in him. After a defeat against Holger Rune at the Cincinnati Masters, he is now ready to begin his run at the US Open with a showdown against Diego Schwartzman in the first round. But who among the two is more likely to keep moving ahead? Here’s the best pick drawn from a detailed analysis.

Gael Monfils vs Diego Schwartzman: Preview

Currently ranked No. 45, Gael Monfils will start his U.S. Open campaign after a recent loss to Rune in the 3rd round of the Cincinnati tournament, where he was defeated 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 on August 16th. This year, he has a 20-18 win-loss record, with an 11-8 record on hard courts. His best results in 2024 include reaching the semifinals in Doha and Mallorca. Throughout his career, he has a solid 656-362 record, including a 246-137 record on hard courts.

On the other hand, ranked No. 246, Diego Schwartzman reached the U.S. Open 1st round after defeating Andrea Pellegrino 7-5, 6-3, Thiago Agustin Tirante 7-5, 6-4, and Vilius Gaubas 6-4, 6-4. In the final qualifying match against Gaubas, he won in straight sets, scoring 65 points to Gaubas’s 58.

The Argentine hit 21 winners but struggled with his serve, hitting no aces and committing 5 double faults. Schwartzman lost his serve 4 times but saved 3 break points. He put 58% of his first serves in, winning 58% of those points and 46% on his second serve, while breaking Gaubas 6 times.

Monfils vs Schwartzman: Head-to-head

Gael Monfils is no stranger to his upcoming match rival Diego Schwartzman. Looking at the head-to-head stats of the two players, they have played against each other for a total of 5 times and the Argentinian leads the comparison with three commendable wins.

Their last encounter was recorded at the Vienna Open back in 2021. The match turned out to be an intense one as the Argentinian, despite facing fluctuations, managed to take Monfils down with a final scoreline of 7-6, 4-6, 6-2. The upcoming showdown is a glittering opportunity for the Frenchman to even the numbers.

Prediction: Monfils to win in three sets

Gael Monfils and Diego Schwartzman are set to face off in an exciting match at the U.S. Open. Monfils comes into this match with renewed confidence after a huge win against Carlos Alcaraz in Cincinnati. He has been solid on hard courts this year and has played a lot of matches, which gives him an edge. The Frenchman is favored to win, especially since the faster courts in New York suit his aggressive playing style.

On the other hand, Schwartzman has had a tough year, but he showed some fight by coming through the qualifiers. He has struggled with form and has not won a main draw match this season. Despite his experience, the Argentine has not found his rhythm and faces a challenging battle against Monfils.

Keeping all the stats in consideration, Monfils is expected to dominate this match, winning in three sets. He is more confident and has better form on hard courts.