It’s been a great start to the European clay season and the matches continue to get better with each passing day at the Rolex Monte Carlo Masters. This article features world number 3, Alexander Zverev, who will face Chilean qualifier Cristian Garin. As always, at LWOT we will offer predictions for all matches, but who will advance?
ATP Monte Carlo Day 4 Predictions
Jiri Lehecka vs Alejandro Tabilo
Face to face: Lehecka 1-0 Tabilo
Not many players can match the power of Jiri Lehecka, but Emilio Nava did that and more in the first round. Nava scored 43 winners to Lehecka’s 19, but credit must be given to the Czech player as he was more consistent, showing maturity in his game. Lehecka came to the net a lot and will need to incorporate him for the rest of the clay season. Alejandro Tabilo had an easier win in the first round and should like his chances here. Lehecka has been playing a lot of tennis lately and may not be able to perform at his best if this gets physical.
Prediction: Tabilo in 3
Hubert Hurkacz against Fabián Marozsan
Face to face: Hurkacz 1-0 Marozsan
Hubert Hurkacz finally broke his seven-match losing streak by defeating Luciano Darderi in three sets. This must have felt like a huge weight off your shoulders and something to build on. If Hurkacz can continue to serve at his best and focus on defense like he did in this match, I see him having more success this clay season. However, I like Fabián Marozsan in this match because he has the power of Darderi but is less erratic.
Prediction: Marozsan in 3
Andrey Rublev vs Zizou Bergs
Face to face: Rublev 1-1 Bergs
Former champion Andrey Rublev defeated Nuno Borges in a rollercoaster match. It wasn’t the highest quality match, but Rublev did well to recover after the second set. He took a medical break during the match, putting his fitness for the second round in doubt. Even if it is not serious, Rublev will need to significantly improve his level to beat Zizou Bergs, who seemed marked against Adrian Mannarino. I will continue to support the Russian, but he will have to go deeper.
Prediction: Rublev in 3
Alexander Zverev vs Cristian Garín
Face to face: Zverev 2-1 Garin
Alexander Zverev will look to start his clay court campaign on a strong note and move towards his ultimate goal of winning the French Open. He has historically gotten off to a slow start on this surface and as a result, this is his worst Masters 1000 tournament on clay. However, Cristian Garin is no longer the player he was and, despite a great matchup against Zverev, I don’t think he will pose a threat to the German this time.
Prediction: Zverev in 2
Feature Photo Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images