Sports Mole previews Monday's Paris Masters first-round match between Flavio Cobolli and Richard Gasquet, including predictions, form and their head-to-head record.

Flavio Cobolli faces home veteran Richard Gasquet in the Paris Masters first round on Monday, keen to beat the Frenchman in his final appearance at the tournament.

The 38-year-old will call time on his career after next year's Roland Garros, meaning he will not return to the ATP 1000 event in 2025.

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Match preview

Cobolli was forced to retire in Vienna last week while down a set against Alex de Minaur and trailing 3-1 in the second before a shoulder problem caused his withdrawal at the ATP 500 event.

Surprisingly back in action so quickly after that round-two loss in Austria, the Italian player bids for a deep run at the Paris event, seeking an encouraging run in the French capital.

The Italian player has had mixed results at Masters 1000 events in 2024, underscored by his 8-7 record heading into the final one this season.

Having defeated another veteran, Stanislas Wawrinka, in Shanghai, the 22-year-old aims to get the better of his 38-year-old opponent.

The 16-time ATP Tour champion recently announced his planned retirement from tennis after next year's French Open on home soil, and he aims for a deep run in his final appearance at the about-to-commence tournament.

Now past his prime, the 38-year-old has barely secured tour-level victories this year, highlighted by a 3-12 record heading into his home event.

Nevertheless, a recent positive run on the Challenger Tour ended with Gasquet clinching the title on home soil in Cassis, even if early tournament exits have followed since that September triumph.

Monday's first-round match will be the Wild Card's second Masters 1000 main draw appearance this season, with his previous involvement a round-one loss to Lorenzo Sonego in Madrid.

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Head To Head

Both players will face off for the first time on the ATP Tour on Monday, with Gasquet keen to notch his first Masters 1000 victory since beating Martin Landaluce in Madrid last April.

Cobolli's only opening-round loss at Masters events this year was against experienced Roberto Bautista Agut at Indian Wells, and he seeks to avoid a similar outcome against the world No. 133

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We say: Cobolli to win in two sets

It remains to be seen how Cobolli's shoulder holds out against the soon-to-retire Gasquet. Despite the Italian's erratic nature, we expect a comfortable victory over an opponent 16 years his senior.

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