The 2021 Monte Carlo Rolex Masters begins in earnest with a full slate of matches on Monday. Here is your look at all the action including Grigor Dimitrov and Dan Evans’ matches, we have predictions for all of the round 1 action.
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina vs Alex de Minaur
In limited action de Minaur is 8-7 in 2021, though that record includes three straight losses. Davidovich Fokina has started the year evenly at 7-8 but should be slightly better on the clay. de Minaur’s prospects don’t look great here and I have ADF advancing. Davidovich Fokina in 2
Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Cristian Garin
With split h2hs on clay and plenty of talent, this is a big matchup for a first rounder on the ATP Tour. The Santiago champion Garin is proven on clay while Auger-Aliassime is 10-6 on the season with an ATP final and generally stays competitive on clay. Garin has only seen limited match play this year but the clay should suit him best and I’ll give him a narrow edge. Garin in 3
Dan Evans vs Dusan Lajovic
Evans beat Lajovic in Rome previously but the Serbian makes his living on the clay while Evans has been excelling as the British #1 on faster surfaces. Evans has proven himself as a capable player but Lajovic should like this matchup overall. Lajovic in 2
Thomas Fabbiano vs Hubert Hurkacz
The qualifier Fabbiano takes on the Miami and Delray Beach champion Hurkacz. Fabbiano has found his best form of the season in Monte Carlo but Hurkacz is having the season of his life at a career high ranking of #16. Hurkacz record on clay is acceptable and his level of tennis in 2021 has been above and beyond anything seen from Fabbiano in his career. Hurkacz is at an advantage here. Hurkacz in 2
Grigor Dimitrov vs Jan-Lennard Struff
Dimitrov leads the h2h 3-2, two of those meetings have taken place in Monte Carlo and they were split with Dimitrov winning the most recent one. Dimitrov has reached the quarterfinals in all but one of his tournaments this season (Miami), while Struff comes off the quarters in Cagliari and has shown good form the past week. Dimitrov is the more accomplished player but Struff’s recent form and competitive h2h bodes well for an upset here. Struff in 3
Main Photo:
