US Open 2014 Men's Betting: Monfils to beat Gasquet in all-French affair

Will we see the Monfils victory roar tonight?

The men's third round completes in New York on Sunday and after a couple of winners on Saturday, tennis expert Sean Calvert talks us through the best bets on Sunday at the US Open...

It was back to winning ways on Saturday at Flushing Meadows, as Tommy Robredo took down Nick Kyrgios in the night match after Novak Djokovic had blitzed Sam Querrey and easily covered the handicap there.

Sunday's play in New York should see comfortable wins for Roger Federer, Tomas Berdych and probably David Ferrer, but Grigor Dimitrov may not have things all his own way against the resurgent David Goffin.

This pair of former junior rivals go back a long way and Dimitrov did have the better of their meetings in the junior ranks, but he'll do well to beat the Belgian comfortably tonight.

They've been given top billing on Arthur Ashe Stadium Court at around 2am UK time, but the timings may change, as we're expecting thunderstorms in New York tonight.

According to the forecast it should be 80% humidity and around 25C by 9pm New York time, but with a 60% chance of rain during the preceding three or four hours they may not get on until late.

Goffin comes into this one with confidence after thrashing the limited Joao Sousa in round two and having won 27 of his last 28 matches, but this is his biggest test since losing in round one of Wimbledon to Andy Murray.

Dimitrov is a little short in the betting at 1.282/7 and I prefer taking a bit of a chance on the 3-1 win for Bulgarian at around 3.814/5 instead.

It seems a fair enough assumption that after 28 matches since Wimbledon Goffin may well be a tad leggy in these humid conditions, and Dimitrov is certainly fitter this season than in years gone by.

The Bulgarian has also played only seven matches since the All England Club and it's asking a lot for Goffin to win, but he can take one set off Dimitrov here.

My other feeling today - and I could well be made to pay for this - is that Gael Monfils will outlast Richard Gasquet in their 10pm UK time clash and I'm siding with Lamonf at around 1.695/7 tonight.

The Gasman hasn't been fully fit for a while and although he's certainly in good enough shape to compete I'm not sure that in these sweltering conditions he'll come out ahead against this opponent.

It could be anything with this pair, but Gasquet was nervous, tentative and reverted largely to his default position of miles behind the baseline against weak opposition in Paulo Lorenzi in round two, which doesn't bode well for him.

Monfils, who afterwards said he felt sick before the match, was in typical Gael mood against Alejandro Gonzalez in a match that involved some sublime winners, back fence bashing, four double faults in one service game, jumping forehand winners, and an argument with the umpire over the height of the net.

All in all a standard day in the office for Gael, who has enjoyed success against Gasquet lately, with three wins from the last four, and a 6-4 overall mark against his compatriot.

It's always a risk with Monfils, but I fancy him to come out on top here in what could be a lengthy and highly entertaining affair.

Recommended Bets
Back Dimitrov to beat Goffin 3-1 at 3.814/5
Back Monfils to beat Gasquet at 1.695/7

Tennis profit and loss – 2014 season

Profit based on 10 stake per bet = + 1038.90