Monfils vs Tien Prediction 3 September 2026
🔊 Gaël Monfils has joined an elite group of veterans, becoming only the third player in fifty years to win a main-draw match at the US Open at the age of 40 or over. That victory carried extra significance as it came on Monfils's birthday. He also equalled Roger Federer's record of winning at least one match at the US Open in 22 consecutive seasons. In the second round he faces Learner Tien, who has a milestone of his own to celebrate - having qualified past the first round of the American Major for the first time in five attempts. It remains to be seen how far the young American can go at his home Grand Slam.
Head-to-Head
📊 The two players have met once, with Learner Tien winning 2-1. That match was played on hard court in Montreal at the start of last month.
Gael Monfils Player Overview
Gaël Monfils has long since stopped playing regularly, functioning more as a crowd-pleaser on the men's tour, though he still produces bright wins at major tournaments. His first-round match at the current Major is a case in point: he beat Adolfo Daniel Vallejo in four sets, winning the final set 6-0 (2-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-0). Despite losing more often than not this season, the Frenchman consistently holds serve at a high rate - 77% - and regularly takes sets off opponents. His record in defeats is also telling: over his last ten matches, only 2 of his 6 losses were without winning a set.
Match Results: Gael Monfils
Learner Tien Player Overview
Learner Tien made a strong start to the summer hard-court swing, reaching the semi-finals at the Montreal Masters. He then suffered an early exit in the second round in Cincinnati. At the US Open he opened confidently, beating Nuno Borges 6-4, 6-1, 6-2. At 180 cm Tien is not a big man, but as a left-hander he is adept at spinning the ball into right-handed opponents' backhands. That said, it does not translate into a strong hold rate - he holds just 64% of his service games. Where Tien is notably reliable is on return: the 20-year-old American converts 45% of his break points, backed by a tennis IQ that belies his age.
Match Results: Learner Tien
Key factors
- Gaël Monfils has covered the handicap (+6.5) in 14 consecutive best-of-five matches.
- In their head-to-head meeting on hard court, Monfils lost but took one set off Learner Tien.
- Learner Tien is not particularly effective on serve, but his defensive game is exemplary.
Expected scenario
Monfils, fired up by the home crowd, will likely go for an aggressive start - big serves and explosive forehands mixed with his trademark drop shots - trying to overwhelm his young opponent early. Tien, though, is a cool head who defends solidly and reads the court well. Rather than getting drawn into Monfils's brand of tennis, the American will probably absorb the pace and look to counter with early-ball strikes and angled shots to Monfils's backhand.
⭐ Editor's Pick
Gaël Monfils is not in ideal form, but his ability to hold serve consistently helps him avoid heavy defeats even against favourites. In their only previous meeting, he already showed he could stay close on the scoreboard against Learner Tien, and he rarely loses to other opponents without winning his share of games. Physical fitness is likely to be the deciding factor - it probably won't carry the 40-year-old veteran to victory, but he is capable of making a contest of it and giving the crowd a show. The pick is Monfils - Games Handicap +6.5.
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Betting Tips: Gael Monfils - Learner Tien
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