NUMBER one seed and tournament favourite, Gael Monfils has claimed his third Open Sud De France title at Montpellier following a straight sets win over Canadian, Vasek Pospisil. The world number nine drew level on points with Italian, Matteo Berrettini in eighth with the World Tennis Tournament coming up in Rotterdam likely to determine who falls into the ATP Finals placing early in the season.

In the Open Sud De France final, Monfils got up 7-5 6-3 in an hour and 37 minutes. He did not have it all his own way with the Canadian – who moved back into the top 100 after having an injury-wrecked 2019 – and only broke twice throughout the match. Monfils saved all four break point opportunities against him, and had an efficient 70 per cent first serve, from which he claimed 77 per cent of his points. Pospisil was not far behind with two thirds of his first serves hitting the mark, and only dropping six points when putting them in, but could only win five of 19 off his second serve, enabling Monfils to take advantage and make two crucial breaks. The Frenchman won double those points off his second serve, but it was his ability to just break at the right times and avoid going into tiebreakers with the North American.

The key for Monfils heading into the remainder of 2020 is to double up on titles in a single calendar year for the first time in his career. Since winning his first title at Sopot in 2005, Monfils has won no more than a title a year, with now eight more titles since 2009. Three of those have come at Montpellier, with victories in 2010, 2014 and now 2020. While he is ranked equal eighth in the world, Monfils heads into a stacked Rotterdam title where he is the reigning champion, which means he has points to uphold.

Seeded third, Monfils takes on Portugal’s Joao Sousa in the first round, but has the likes of fifth seed Fabio Fognini and top 20 Russian, Karen Khachanov in his section – though the pair are facing off in an unbelievable blockbuster match. Pospisil also heads to Rotterdam where he earned a Special Exemption. The Canadian was supposed to go through qualifying, but due to going so deep at Montpellier, he missed out on qualifying and tournament officials gave him approval and safe passage through to the main draw. Unfortunately for the 29-year-old, he runs into number one seed and world number five, Daniil Medvedev in the first round.