Match Details
Fixture: Gael Monfils vs Facundo Diaz Acosta
Date: January 9, 2025
Tournament: ASB Classic 2025
Round: Quarterfinal
Venue: ASB Tennis Centre, Auckland, New Zealand
Category: ATP 250
Surface: Outdoor Hardcourt
Prize money: $680,140
Live telecast: USA – Tennis Channel | UK – Sky Sports
Gael Monfils vs Facundo Diaz Acosta preview
38-year-old Gael Monfils will take on the World No. 78 Facundo Diaz Acosta in the quarterfinals of the Aukland Open.
The French veteran was on the brink of a loss in the first round against Pedro Martinez as he was 1-6, 2-5 down but made an amazing comeback to win the second set in tie-break and then won the decider 6-3.
Monfils knocked out the ninth seed Jan-Lennard Struff in the second round 6-1, 7-6(5). He will be looking to reach his first ATP semifinals since 2024 Mallorca. He had also reached the semifinals at Auckland in 2013, when he lost to David Ferrer, who was World No. 5 then, in straight sets.
On the other hand, Acosta entered the qualifying round and defeated New Zealand’s Ajeet Rai in straight sets, before losing to World No. 90 Luca Nardi.
The Argentinian entered the main round as a lucky loser and stunned Great Britain’s Cameron Norrie in straight sets 6-2, 6-3 in the first round.
His second round opponent was his compatriot, the third seed Sebastian Baez. Acosta had lost to Baez on the two previous occasions, but this time he got the better of him 6-4, 7-6(1).
Acosta has never reached semifinals of any ATP event on the hard courts, whereas his only ATP title came last year in Buenos Aires on clay.
Gael Monfils vs Facundo Diaz Acosta head-to-head
Monfils and Acosta have never met before and it will be their first meeting.
Gael Monfils vs Facundo Diaz Acosta odds
(Odds will be updated once available)
Gael Monfils vs Facundo Diaz Acosta prediction
Former World No. 6 Monfils has won three out of four matches this season, as his only loss came against the fellow veteran Novak Djokovic in Brisbane last week.
He would be back in the Top 50 once again if he were to beat his Argentinian opponent and would be one of the favorites to win the title, which would be his first ATP title since Stockholm 2023, if he wins.
Acosta has surprised his higher ranked opponents in the last two matches, but Monfils is much more experienced.
Pick: Monfils to win in three sets
Edited by Tushar Bahl