An all-French Affair at the Thailand Open - Tsonga and Monfils

Bangkok, Thailand – A fantastic semi-final is in the cards at the Thailand Open with Frenchmen and best mates Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Gael Monfils setting up a showdown, a berth in the final on the line.

The last time we saw Tsonga in top form was at the 2008 Australian Open, wherein he blew past the competition, felling Andy Murray, Richard, Gasquet, Mikhail Youzhny and Rafael Nadal en route to the final before finally succumbing to No.3 Novak Djokovic. However, immediately after witnessing arguably the most impressive display of tennis we have ever seen from Tsonga (we always knew he had the talent) he faded from whence he came from. In all fairness to Tsonga, he had injuries to contend with that finally forced him to miss three months of tournament play.

Similarly, the last time we saw Gael Monfils at his best was during the 2008 French Open when he pushed to the semis. The luck of the draw had a hand in his Cinderella run, as he did not face a real threat until the fourth round when he came up against Ivan Ljubicic. Credit to Monfils he rose to the occasion and topped Ljubicic in four sets. He went on to dismiss No.5 David Ferrer in the quarterfinals and set up a semi showdown against Roger Federer – a match he lost but not before taking the first set off Federer.

Both Frenchman have experienced some highs and lows this year. Injury woes have seen both miss chunks of the season (Monfils missed the first three months of the year) but as we approach the final push on the ATP Calendar towards the season-ending Masters Cup in Shanghai, Tsonga and Monfils have an opportunity to get their seasons back on track. They have enjoyed a good run in Bangkok and delivered on pre-tournament predictions by setting up a semi-final clash; but for one the run of luck will end tomorrow.

Here is my breakdown of this super semi showdown between Tsonga and Monfils.

Tennis Betting Line: Gael Monfils +105 Jo Wilfried Tsonga -145

Match Time: 02:00 AM Eastern Time Saturday September 27, 2008

Head-to-head Analysis: This is their first-ever ATP level matchup. Tsonga beat Monfils in 2003 in the lower circuit, France F14 event.

Tennis Betting Analysis:

Tsonga (-145) Tsonga is favoured in this matchup but not overwhelmingly so. Hard courts are his best surface. He is devastating on serve and can hit winners of both wings. He arrives with a 19-9 mark for the year. He has an aggressive style of game and, more oft than not, when his game is on, he likes to go on the attack, finishing points with overwhelming accuracy.

Monfils (+105) is characterized as counterpuncher because he primarily plays a defensive style of game. He likes to hang out way beyond the baseline and retrieve every shot until he forces an error from his opponent. However, he has an uncanny ability to go from defence to offense very quickly which can take his opponent by surprise and catch him off guard.

Tennis Betting Verdict: Considering some of the contrasts in their game this should be an interesting cat-and-mouse match. Tsonga, as he is wont to, going on the attack. Monfils, waiting for an opportunity to pounce, but playing mostly defence. If Tsonga shows up with the same intensity he did in the quarters against Melzer, Monfils defensive game plan will be stretched to the limit. I expect a close match but Tsonga should come away with the victory.

Tennis Free Picks: Tsonga in straight sets

Nila Amerova is a freelance sports writer and regular contributor to the BetUS.com Locker Room