Game plan
Taylor Fritz v Gael Monfils
Every number combines what Taylor Fritz does well with what Gael Monfils allows, each measured against the tour average and shrunk toward it when the sample is thin. Flip perspective
Forecast
Each player's serve and return strength is fitted against every opponent they were charted against, so a record built on weak opponents counts for less. Both were charted enough in the last three seasons, so those carry the most weight. The result is then nudged by Taylor Fritz's record against Gael Monfils's tactical lookalikes and in their charted head-to-heads (lookalikes: −2.1 on serve, −2.4 on return vs expectation (422 points); head-to-head: +1.1 on serve, −12.4 on return vs expectation (247 points)). A game-by-game Markov chain turns point odds into match odds; the 90% range covers the uncertainty in the two strengths, not the nudges. Charted matches lean toward big events, so treat this as a scouting estimate, not a betting line.
Head to head, per 100 shots
| Career | Taylor | Gael |
|---|---|---|
| Direction choice | +0.03 ±0.04 better than 64% | −0.08 ±0.05 better than 35% |
| Shot selection | −0.11 ±0.06 better than 38% | −0.10 ±0.07 better than 40% |
| Execution | +0.66 ±0.27 better than 88% | +0.40 ±0.24 better than 82% |
| Points left on the table | 2.35 ±0.06 lower than 78% | 2.57 ±0.08 lower than 52% |
Each player's career against an average tour player in the same position, adjusted for opponent strength, with a 90% margin (shots clustered by match). Points left on the table is the gap to the best-value direction for the same stroke, so lower is better. Percentiles are within each player's own tour. A side is highlighted only when the gap is larger than the margin on the difference.
Structural compatibility
Expected edge per 100 rally shots from style alone: Taylor Fritz +0.23, Gael Monfils +0.56. Each player's shot mix weighted by their own skill with each shot and by how much the other gives up against it. This is why some rankings gaps don't hold in a given matchup.
Serve plan
The share of points the server wins when a first serve lands in that direction (hover a rate for its 90% interval; ± is the 90% margin). "Matchup" combines the server's rate with how this returner handles that serve. "Optimal" is the mix that wins most against this returner once they start reading a habit, at the response measured across the tour, and only within the range servers' habits actually vary. The gain over the current mix is how exploitable that mix is.
Taylor Fritz serving
Deuce court
| 1st serve | Now | Taylor wins | v Gael | Matchup | Optimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wide | 48% | 76% | 71% | 74.6%±2.4 | 61% ▲ |
| Body | 3% | 66% | 64% | 66.8%±7.4 | 0% ▼ |
| T | 49% | 82% | 71% | 78.7%±2.4 | 39% ▼ |
Optimal v Gael Monfils: +0.3±0.3 per 100 first serves (faults included) over the current mix, inside the 90% margin. Serving T every time would read +2.3 per 100 first serves in before the returner adjusts.
Ad court
| 1st serve | Now | Taylor wins | v Gael | Matchup | Optimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wide | 52% | 80% | 71% | 78.4%±2.4 | 42% ▼ |
| Body | 4% | 62% | 64% | 62.9%±7.5 | 0% ▼ |
| T | 45% | 76% | 70% | 73.6%±2.7 | 58% ▲ |
Optimal v Gael Monfils: +0.3±0.4 per 100 first serves (faults included) over the current mix, inside the 90% margin. Serving wide every time would read +2.7 per 100 first serves in before the returner adjusts.
Gael Monfils serving
Deuce court
| 1st serve | Now | Gael wins | v Taylor | Matchup | Optimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wide | 40% | 71% | 74% | 72.6%±2.5 | 53% ▲ |
| Body | 8% | 62% | 63% | 62.5%±6.0 | 0% ▼ |
| T | 52% | 77% | 77% | 79.0%±2.3 | 47% ▼ |
Optimal v Taylor Fritz: +0.8±0.4 per 100 first serves (faults included) over the current mix. Serving T every time would read +3.9 per 100 first serves in before the returner adjusts.
Ad court
| 1st serve | Now | Gael wins | v Taylor | Matchup | Optimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wide | 53% | 78% | 76% | 81.2%±2.2 | 67% ▲ |
| Body | 5% | 65% | 63% | 65.5%±6.8 | 0% ▼ |
| T | 41% | 67% | 74% | 68.9%±2.7 | 33% ▼ |
Optimal v Taylor Fritz: +0.8±0.4 per 100 first serves (faults included) over the current mix. Serving wide every time would read +5.9 per 100 first serves in before the returner adjusts.
Return plan
Value of each return, in points per 100 returns against an average return of the same serve (direction, court, surface): the tour's result with that return, the returner's own edge with it, and what this server gives up when it comes back to that side. Returns with no charted direction are left out, so values compare with each other rather than with zero. Depth isn't a choice here: missed returns have no depth. Serve quality isn't charted, so a block through the middle partly reflects the serve that forced it.
Taylor Fritz returning
1st serve to the forehand
| Return | Now | Tour | Own | v Gael | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FH through the middle | 46% | +4.3 | +1.3 | +1.7 | +7.2±1.2 |
| FH down the line | 22% | +1.7 | +0.4 | +2.1 | +4.1±2.6 |
| FH slice through the middle | 12% | −4.2 | +0.1 | −0.2 | −4.3±1.6 |
| FH crosscourt | 10% | +5.5 | +1.8 | +0.3 | +7.6±3.0 |
| FH slice down the line | 7% | −4.3 | +0.4 | −0.6 | −4.4±2.9 |
Lean FH crosscourt: +3.5±2.8 per 100 returns v the current mix (2456 returns charted)
1st serve to the backhand
| Return | Now | Tour | Own | v Gael | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BH through the middle | 47% | +6.4 | +2.1 | +0.6 | +9.2±1.3 |
| BH crosscourt | 29% | +8.8 | −1.8 | +0.1 | +7.0±2.0 |
| BH down the line | 9% | +4.2 | +1.7 | +0.2 | +6.2±3.6 |
| BH slice through the middle | 9% | −4.2 | −2.5 | −0.7 | −7.4±1.8 |
| BH slice crosscourt | 3% | +0.5 | −3.9 | −2.2 | −5.6±2.6 |
Lean BH through the middle: +3.5±1.0 per 100 returns v the current mix (2022 returns charted)
2nd serve to the forehand
| Return | Now | Tour | Own | v Gael | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FH through the middle | 51% | −3.5 | −0.7 | +1.3 | −2.9±1.6 |
| FH down the line | 25% | −1.8 | −3.4 | −0.9 | −6.2±3.6 |
| FH crosscourt | 14% | −0.2 | +1.8 | +0.3 | +1.9±3.6 |
| FH slice through the middle | 4% | −12.7 | −1.6 | −1.8 | −16.1±2.2 |
| FH slice down the line | 3% | −9.4 | +1.8 | −0.4 | −8.0±2.7 |
Lean FH crosscourt: +5.6±3.3 per 100 returns v the current mix (707 returns charted)
2nd serve to the backhand
| Return | Now | Tour | Own | v Gael | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BH through the middle | 42% | −2.9 | +0.8 | −0.3 | −2.4±1.3 |
| BH crosscourt | 34% | +1.0 | −0.8 | +1.9 | +2.2±1.9 |
| BH down the line | 13% | −0.2 | −1.3 | −2.0 | −3.5±3.9 |
| FH through the middle | 6% | −2.9 | +0.2 | +1.3 | −1.4±1.8 |
| FH inside-in | 3% | +0.6 | −0.5 | +0.3 | +0.4±3.7 |
Lean BH crosscourt: +3.0±1.5 per 100 returns v the current mix (1417 returns charted)
Gael Monfils returning
1st serve to the forehand
| Return | Now | Tour | Own | v Taylor | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FH through the middle | 43% | +4.3 | +1.2 | −0.6 | +4.9±1.3 |
| FH crosscourt | 21% | +5.5 | +2.8 | −0.6 | +7.7±2.8 |
| FH slice through the middle | 14% | −4.2 | +0.5 | ±0.0 | −3.7±1.5 |
| FH down the line | 13% | +1.7 | +0.5 | −0.9 | +1.3±3.0 |
| FH slice crosscourt | 5% | −4.3 | +1.2 | −0.4 | −3.5±2.6 |
Lean FH crosscourt: +4.7±2.3 per 100 returns v the current mix (2510 returns charted)
1st serve to the backhand
| Return | Now | Tour | Own | v Taylor | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BH through the middle | 44% | +6.4 | +1.0 | +0.6 | +8.0±1.3 |
| BH crosscourt | 30% | +8.8 | +1.1 | −0.5 | +9.4±2.1 |
| BH slice through the middle | 10% | −4.2 | −1.7 | −0.3 | −6.2±1.7 |
| BH down the line | 9% | +4.2 | +0.2 | −4.5 | −0.1±3.7 |
| BH slice crosscourt | 5% | +0.5 | −2.0 | −1.8 | −3.3±2.6 |
Lean BH crosscourt: +4.2±1.6 per 100 returns v the current mix (2484 returns charted)
2nd serve to the forehand
| Return | Now | Tour | Own | v Taylor | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FH through the middle | 45% | −3.5 | +0.6 | +0.4 | −2.5±1.8 |
| FH crosscourt | 29% | −0.2 | −2.5 | −1.1 | −3.8±3.5 |
| FH down the line | 16% | −1.8 | +2.8 | −1.6 | −0.6±4.0 |
| FH slice through the middle | 7% | −12.7 | −1.7 | +0.6 | −13.8±2.4 |
| BH through the middle | 3% | +0.1 | +1.0 | +0.8 | +1.9±1.4 |
Lean BH through the middle: +5.2±2.0 per 100 returns v the current mix (561 returns charted)
2nd serve to the backhand
| Return | Now | Tour | Own | v Taylor | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BH through the middle | 46% | −2.9 | +1.1 | +0.8 | −1.0±1.2 |
| BH crosscourt | 39% | +1.0 | +0.5 | −0.9 | +0.7±1.7 |
| BH down the line | 10% | −0.2 | −1.4 | −0.4 | −2.0±4.0 |
| FH through the middle | 2% | −2.9 | −0.6 | +0.4 | −3.1±1.9 |
| FH inside-out | 1% | +1.0 | −1.5 | −1.6 | −2.1±3.0 |
Lean BH crosscourt: +1.3±1.2 per 100 returns v the current mix (1568 returns charted)
Rally plan
Edge, in points per 100 shots: the hitter's skill with the shot (own) plus how much the receiver usually gives up against it (theirs), both measured against the tour average.
Taylor Fritz
Favour
| Shot | Edge | Own | Theirs |
|---|---|---|---|
| FH to their backhand · serve +1 | +2.3±1.4 | +1.5 | +0.8 |
| BH to their forehand · return +1 | +2.2±3.1 | +0.5 | +1.7 |
| BH to their backhand · return +1 | +2.2±1.4 | +1.3 | +0.9 |
| Smash to their forehand · rally | +1.9±4.1 | +1.8 | +0.1 |
| BH to the middle · return | +1.9±0.9 | +1.7 | +0.2 |
| FH to the middle · return | +1.8±0.9 | +0.8 | +1.0 |
Avoid
| Shot | Edge | Own | Theirs |
|---|---|---|---|
| BH volley to their forehand · rally | −10.1±5.0 | −7.6 | −2.5 |
| BH volley to the middle · rally | −7.2±5.4 | −2.8 | −4.3 |
| BH slice to their forehand · return | −6.7±3.5 | −5.5 | −1.2 |
| BH slice to their backhand · return | −5.5±2.5 | −3.8 | −1.6 |
| BH volley to their backhand · rally | −5.1±4.8 | −5.5 | +0.4 |
Gael Monfils
Favour
| Shot | Edge | Own | Theirs |
|---|---|---|---|
| BH slice to their forehand · rally | +6.1±2.6 | +3.9 | +2.2 |
| Smash to their backhand · rally | +5.6±4.7 | +0.7 | +4.9 |
| FH slice to the middle · serve +1 | +5.3±3.0 | +3.5 | +1.8 |
| FH drop shot to their backhand · serve +1 | +5.1±5.1 | −1.0 | +6.0 |
| BH to their forehand · rally | +4.0±1.6 | +2.5 | +1.6 |
| FH drop shot to their backhand · rally | +3.8±5.0 | +0.8 | +3.1 |
Avoid
| Shot | Edge | Own | Theirs |
|---|---|---|---|
| BH to their forehand · return | −3.5±2.6 | −0.8 | −2.7 |
| FH volley to their backhand · rally | −3.1±5.4 | +2.1 | −5.2 |
| BH slice to their backhand · serve +1 | −2.9±2.7 | −1.8 | −1.1 |
| BH slice to their backhand · return | −2.3±2.5 | −1.2 | −1.1 |
| BH slice to the middle · return +1 | −1.9±1.9 | −0.9 | −1.0 |
Against Gael Monfils-like opponents
| Taylor Fritz v | Matches | Serve pts won | Return pts won |
|---|---|---|---|
| All charted opponents | – | 68.5% | 34.5% |
| Players most similar to Gael Monfils | 3 | 61.9% | 29.0% |
| Gael Monfils (charted head-to-head) | 1 | 69.2% | 23.1% |
Similar by tactical fingerprint: Jannik Sinner, Marcos Giron, Miomir Kecmanovic, Arthur Cazaux, Daniel Elahi Galan, Mackenzie Mcdonald, Borna Coric, Andreas Seppi, Guido Pella. When two players have rarely met, their records against these lookalikes fill the gap.