Andrey Kuznetsov will be hoping to cause another upset when he takes on Gael Monfils in the Australian Open fourth round. Join The Roar for live scores from around 1pm (AEDT).
Monfils has had a relatively easy draw so far, having yet to face a player ranked inside the top 50 of the ATP World Tour.
The 23rd seed beat Japanese qualifier Yichi Sugita 6-1, 6-3, 6-2 during the first round, setting up a second-round meeting with world No.63 Nicolas Mahut, whom he beat 5-7, 4-6, 1-6.
Another compatriot awaited in the third round, as Monfils defeated qualifier Stephane Robert 7-5, 6-3, 6-2.
Monfils may not have played any challenging opposition so far, however he remains the favourite for this match.
Kuznetsov is experiencing his best run at a grand slam. Currently ranked 74th on the ATP World Tour, his tournament began with a win over American qualifier Ryan Harrison 7-5, 6-4, 6-4. The Russian then progressed to a second round meeting with world no.31 Jeremy Chardy, whom he came out on top of in straight sets.
The Russian then defeated Israeli Dudi Sela 7-5, 3-6, 6-1, 7-6.
Kuznetsov and Monfils have played each other twice before, both encounters in 2015. Their first was during the second round at Marseille, with Monfils winning in front of his home crowd 6-3, 6-2. Monfils had home advantage once again in their most recent meeting, at the Monte Carlo Masters, with the Frenchman winning 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.
The winner will progress to the quarter-finals where they will play either fourth seed Stan Wawrinka or 13th seed Milos Raonic.
Prediction
Andrey Kuznetsov will push Monfils to four sets, however the Russian’s dream grand slam run will come to an end.
Monfils in four sets.
Join The Roar for live scores from around 1pm (AEDT) – following the completion of the doubles match between third seed French duo Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic, and 13th seed Julia Goerges and Karolina Pliskova – and comment below if you’re watching the match.
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