• Home
  • Tennis
  • ATP Tour
  • ATP Montpellier

Arthur Fils vs Ugo Blanchet Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - Fils to make Montpellier quarter-finals

andrew-hendrie
Editor
Last updated: Thu 05 Feb 2026 00:13

Arthur Fils, recovering from a back injury, is set to face Ugo Blanchet in the Open Occitanie quarter-finals after securing a victory against Valentin Royer. Fils, once ranked 14th globally, is returning to form and is favored to win against Blanchet. Despite entering as a lucky loser, Blanchet has gained confidence from past victories over top players, suggesting a competitive match. Over 20.5 total games is predicted, with Fils expected to edge out Blanchet in the encounter. The game is available for live streaming at Unibet.

Andrew Hendrie 05 Feb 2026
Share this article
Or copy link
  • Arthur Fils vs Ugo Blanchet predictions for Thursday's ATP Montpellier Round 2 match
  • Fils targeting quarter-finals in comeback tournament from long-standing back injury
  • Blanchet confident with nothing to lose - he can make this match competitive, but likely doesn't have firepower to win
  • The match is scheduled to start around 6.30am AEDT on Friday February 6
Expired
Arthur Fils
Arthur Fils (Photo by Getty Images)


Arthur Fils vs Ugo Blanchet Tips, Prediction & Live Stream


Arthur Fils continues his comeback when he faces a countryman for the second straight match, taking on lucky loser Ugo Blanchet for a place in the quarter-finals of the Open Occitanie in Montpellier on Thursday night.

Fils was on track for a top 10 debut last year before he was struck down by a persistent back injury. The 21-year-old has been sidelined for the bulk of the last nine months, but scripted a triumphant return in Montpellier, outlasting Valentin Royer in three sets.
It took a while for Fils to find his best tennis, but he was back to some electric tennis in the deciding set as he took it 6-2. The Frenchman will be confident of reaching the last eight, but Blanchet has absolutely nothing to lose after entering the tournament as a lucky loser before defeating doubles specialist Andrea Vavassori in straight sets.

Fils has a tendency to go walkabout in matches and he hasn't been entirely convincing when facing players ranked outside the top 100 in his young career. Blanchet is also confident, taking the top 50 scalp of Alexei Popyrin at a Challenger last week. I'm backing Over 20.5 total games as the main play here, with Fils edging it.
  • Fils has won four of his last six matches vs countryman
  • Blanchet has lost five of his last six matches vs countryman
  • Fils has seen Over 20.5 games in six of his last seven best-of-three matches vs players outside the top 100
  • Blanchet only has three top 50 wins in his career and two were against Alexei Popyrin
  • Four of Blanchet's five best-of-three matches vs top 50 players saw Over 20.5 games

Fils vs Blanchet Head To Head

This will be the pair's first tour-level meeting, but Fils emerged a 6-4 6-4 winner on clay at the Toulouse Challenger in 2022.

Arthur Fils Form Analysis

  • 2026 Record: 1-0
  • ATP Montpellier Record: 4-1
  • Current Ranking: No. 42
  • Career-High Ranking: No. 14 (April 2025)

ATP Montpellier 2026 Results

RoundOpponentScore
Round of 32Valentin Royer7–6(7), 6–7(4), 6–2

Fils arrived in Montpellier with no form to analyse, opening his 2026 season after opting out of the Australian summer to prioritise recovery from a lingering back issue. The decision was made to allow additional rehabilitation time rather than rushing back into competition.

The back problem had been an ongoing concern before worsening during his marathon five-set victory over Jaume Munar in the opening round of the French Open. That flare-up ultimately forced the 21-year-old out of the tournament, and he went on to play just one more event before shutting down his season following the Canadian swing.

The interruption came at an unfortunate moment in Fils’ development. He had recently climbed to a career-high ranking of No. 14 and appeared poised for a push towards the top 10 after reaching consecutive Masters 1000 quarter-finals at Indian Wells, Miami and Monte Carlo.

Fils looked solid in his first match back, outlasting compatriot Valentin Royer 7-6 6-7 6-2, which doubled as his 50th career tour-level victory.


"It was a tough match. He is a great opponent and he put me under pressure," Fils said after the win.
"I was running a lot and my legs feel it now, but I am very happy to win. It has been a long time out of the court and [to have] an atmosphere like this was [amazing].

Ugo Blanchet Form Analysis

  • 2026 Record: 1-0
  • ATP Montpellier Record: 1-1
  • Current Ranking: No. 174
  • Career-High Ranking: No. 139 (2024)

ATP Montpellier 2026 Results

RoundOpponentScore
Round of 32Andrea Vavassori6–4, 6–3

Blanchet has spent the bulk of his career grinding away on the ITF and Challenger circuit, reaching a career-high ranking of No. 139 in 2024.

The 27-year-old did enjoy some time in the spotlight last year on the main tour, defeating Fabian Marozsan and Jakub Mensik to reach the third round of the US Open - by far his best result at tour-level.

Blanchet began 2026 with a second round loss at the Canberra Challenger and opening round defeat in Australian Open qualifying. The Frenchman restored some confidence with a top 50 scalp over Alexei Popyrin on his way to the Manama Challenger quarter-finals last week, while he made the most of his good fortune in Montpellier, entering the main draw as a lucky loser and taking care of Andrea Vavassori in straight sets.

Fils vs Blanchet Live Stream

Watch and bet on Arthur Fils vs Ugo Blanchet live Open Occitanie tennis from Montpellier.

You can watch and bet on the match live at Unibet > Tennis > ATP Montpellier with the action available to stream on desktop and mobile.

Geo-restrictions apply, you'll need a funded account or to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours to gain access. 18+ terms and conditions apply.

Verdict

Fils is tipped to advance, but Blanchet can make this competitive, forcing the overs.

Best Bet1: Over 20.5 Total Games $1.65 at betr - 2 Units
Best Bet2: Fils & Over 21.5 H2H/Total Games $2.60 at Playup - 1 Unit
Over 20.5
Total Games
$1.65 - 2 Units
The GOAT.
Ahead of the Game.

Join Australia's newest online bookmaker with code BETSAU and enjoy exciting new ways to bet. The app is among the fastest in the market. What are you prepared to lose today? Set a deposit limit.

Bet at betr
Fils & Over 21.5
H2H/Total Games
$2.60 - 1 Unit
Use Easyform
The Ultimate Form Guide

18+ only. Gamble Responsibly. T&Cs apply

Bet at Playup

Top Betting Sites

Betting offers

Upcoming Events

27 May 2026

28 May 2026

  • QLD Maroons Women vs NSW Blues Women NRL State of Origin Game 3 -
  • Rugby League
Load More
Betting Slip | 05 Feb 2026

Arthur Fils v Ugo Blanchet