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Monfils vs Safiullin — US Open R1 Preview
🧠 Form & Context
Gael Monfils (No. 49, age 38)
- 🇫🇷 One of the tour’s great entertainers, still competing at 38.
- 🏆 Oldest ATP champion ever (Auckland 2025). Also R16 at AO & Miami.
- 📊 Record: 18–13 this year (14–7 hard).
- 📉 Post-Miami slump: Just 4 wins across 9 events since April; R1 losses in Washington & Toronto.
- 🏟️ US Open: Four-time QF, 2016 SF. Only R1 defeat came on debut (2005 vs Djokovic).
- ⚠️ Fitness issues remain a concern.
Roman Safiullin (No. 94, age 28)
- 🇷🇺 Solid baseliner with heavy groundstrokes.
- 📊 Record: 12–19 in 2025 (8–11 hard). Only 2 top-50 wins all year.
- 📉 Slam struggles: 0–3 in 2025 majors. Notably collapsed vs Darderi at Wimbledon after winning first set.
- 🏟️ US Open: Best = R2 (2023, 2024).
- ⚠️ Tends to fade in longer matches; confidence issues late in sets.
🔍 Match Breakdown
Monfils has the Slam pedigree, shot variety, and muscle memory in New York. The downside is patchy form and fitness lapses. Safiullin has fresher legs but hasn’t built belief against stronger opposition this season.
The tactical core: Monfils will counterpunch, feed off the crowd, and make Safiullin hit extra balls. The Russian needs to shorten points, dictate with his forehand, and capitalize on second serves. If it turns into a long grind, the edge tilts back to the veteran.
The X-Factor is the Arthur Ashe crowd. Monfils has long thrived under its lights, while Safiullin’s big-stage record is thin.
🔮 Prediction
With both men struggling for rhythm, Monfils’ Slam record and ability to raise his level in New York swing the balance. Safiullin could grab a set if he comes out hot, but the Frenchman’s experience and crowd lift should see him through.
Pick: Monfils in 4 sets — Experience > Safiullin’s inconsistency.