Gael Monfils v Sebastian Baez Betting Tips [30 May 2023]

Unseeded Sebastian Baez takes on world number 394 Gael Monfils in the first round at the French Open on Tuesday. A second-round battle with either sixth seed Holger Rune or the unseeded Christopher Eubanks awaits the winner. Gael Monfils is having a torrid season so far. After making his return from a lengthy spell out injured in March, the Frenchman has managed only one win. Monfils has lost seven of his eight matches and starts his campaign in Paris while on a three-match losing run. The former world number six is on a protected ranking and despite his struggles is up 21 places to number 373 in the live ranking. He is making his 18th appearance at Roland Garros and is a former semifinalist here, that however was 15 years ago. Monfils missed last season’s tournament due to injury.

Despite struggling with inconsistency, Sebastian Baez is faring much better than Monfils. The Argentine has so far recorded 17 wins for the season with 16 of those coming on clay. His form on the surface won him the Cordoba Open, the second tour-level title of his career. He has since not been able to go back to such heights and has lost 12 of his last 25 matches. Baez arrives for his third appearance at the French Open after his quarterfinal finish in Lyon. This allowed him to move up three places to 39th in the live ranking. Baez has never progressed past the second round at Roland Garros but has never lost a first-round fixture.

Our prediction for Gael Monfils v Sebastian Baez is for Baez to win. Monfils is having a torrid season so far and should find it quite difficult against Baez who is excelling on clay.