Gael Monfils vs Pavel Kotov Prediction – Tennis Picks 10-22-2023

French veteran Gael Monfils will face first-time ATP finalist Pavel Kotov in the final of the 2023 Stockholm Open. The match will be played on Sunday, October 22, 2023.

Gael Monfils is back in another ATP final. After 21 months the French veteran in the twilight of his playing career will have the chance to add a 12th ATP title to his trophy cabinet. The 37-year-old entered the field in Stockholm with a protected ranking and was probably the least favored to win the tournament. Monfils had been out of action for over a month, with his brief cameo at the Laver Cup in Vancouver being the only stop where he actually picked up a racket. But the break was just what the doctor ordered. A rejuvenated Monfils dodged a very testing opening match against Marton Fucsovics, prevailing in three sets. And since then he’s accounted for straight sets wins in each of his next three matches including Saturday’s semfinal against Laslo Djere.

The man who will confront Monfils in the final is Pavel Kotov, a 24-year-old from Moscow, who features on the ATP Challenger Tour but has made sporadic and impressive appearances on the main tour this season. Kotov gave the fans a glimpse of his potential in Dubai where he qualified for the main draw and upset Alexei Popyrin. At the start of the clay swing, he attained his best result on the ATP Tour when he made the last four in Marrakech. But his scintillating run from qualifying to the final in Stockholm trumps every other accomplishment. Can Kotov’s dream run end with a title win?

Taking into account the magnitude of his achievement, and the list of players he’s beaten en route to the final, Kotov’s run has been nothing short of magical. Any positive result in the final would be bonus points for him. He is a player who hits the ball with decent length and can out-rally his opponents with his great coverage of the baseline area. But Monfils can do that almost effortlessly and better even at 37. The Frenchman has turned back time this week, and he doesn’t know how many more opportunities he’ll get to compete in the final on Sunday. We’re happy to take experience to prevail in the Stockholm Open final.