Preparations for the first Grand Slam of the season, the Australian Open, begin with the Brisbane International this week, and it is a case of youth versus experience when Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard takes on Nick Kyrgios.
Winner of the Most Improved Player of the Year accolade at this year's ATP awards, Mpetshi Perricard has claimed two titles in a breakthrough season in 2024.
The 21-year-old rose to a career-high 30th in the ATP rankings this season and could be one to keep an eye on in 2025.
As for Kyrgios, this tournament marks the Australian's first appearance in a competitive singles event since injury kept him out of the 2023 and 2024 campaigns.
He will be eager to return with a bang but he could be up against it when he takes on one of the most promising youngsters on the ATP Tour on Tuesday.
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard to win - 4/5
Kyrgios took to the courts for the first time in 18 months in the Brisbane International doubles on Monday, winning in three sets with partner Novak Djokovic.
It was a significant moment for the Australian ace but he has not played a competitive singles match since June 2023 and he could be a little undercooked when he faces Mpetshi Perricard of France.
Mpetshi Perricard enjoyed a terrific breakthrough season in 2024, firstly winning the Lyon Open, an ATP 250 event in his home city, back in May.
And he has gone from strength to strength since that clay-court triumph, showing versatility with a run to the fourth round of Wimbledon before securing a hard-court title at the Swiss Indoors ATP 500 event.
That win came in October and a brief hiatus should have done the youngster good, as he will be much sharper than his Australian counterpart.
Kyrgios will have the backing of the crowd in Brisbane but he has won the title only once and that was back in 2018.
Due to his hard-hitting style, Kyrgios may require a bit more time on court to get back to the standards he showed in 2022 and, at 4/5, Mpetshi Perricard looks a good bet.
The Frenchman had a 16-12 win-loss record on the ATP tour in 2024 and will not go down easily in Brisbane.
Over 26.5 games - 1/1
For punters unwilling to back either player in this contest, over 26.5 games could be a good bet at 1/1.
Mpetshi Perricard is 4/5 to win, while Kyrgios is 1/1, so a close game is expected and it could go the distance.
Kyrgios's doubles match with Djokovic at the Brisbane International on Monday went to three sets and featured a total of 41 games.
And while Mpetshi Perricard has not been in action since October, it is worth noting his two matches at the Paris Masters that month featured 32 and 30 games.
The Frenchman should edge this but he may struggle when Kyrgios is on serve and the Australian is arguably not fit enough to be confident he can run out a comfortable winner.
Therefore, this is a match which could swing back and forth with the overs line the way to go.
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Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard - 4/5
Nick Kyrgios - 1/1
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.