After a wet start to the week, Day 3 saw a full schedule of play with many exciting matches. Day 4 at the ATP Monte Carlo Masters promises to be much of the same. The top seeds begin their campaign as the second round matches come to a close. Here are my predictions for three of the second round matches on Day 4. We have the rest of the day’s matches between three separate articles. One features Novak Djokovic vs Jannik Sinner, another Dan Evans vs Hubert Hurkacz, and the third Rafael Nadal vs Federico Delbonis.
ATP Monte Carlo Day 4 Predictions
Roberto Bautista Agut vs Tommy Paul
Head to Head: Never Played
Roberto Bautista Agut comes into Monte Carlo on the back of a successful run at the Miami Open, where he lost in the semifinals to Jannik Sinner. The Spaniard had his chances in the second set, but failed to take his opportunities. However, all things considered, it’s been a successful start to the year for the Spaniard, who reached the final in Lyon and Doha. Despite not being his best surface, the Spaniard beat Taylor Fritz in straight sets in the opening round.
In Tommy Paul, Bautista Agut faces another American opponent. Paul’s best result this season came in Rotterdam, where the American reached the quarterfinals, before losing to Marton Fucscovics. However ,since then, he lost in the opening round of Acapulco and Miami. Paul came through his opening match after Pedro Martinez retired. Paul has big weapons with his powerful serve and forehand combination, however the clay will neutralize some of the power on his ground strokes. Bautista Agut is the more consistent of the two from the back of the court, and I think he will get the win in straight sets.
Prediction Bautista Agut in 2
Alexei Popyrin vs Lucas Pouille
Head to Head: Pouille 1-0
Lucas Pouille has had a difficult time with injuries since his sensational run to the semifinals of the Australian Open in 2019. Last week, Pouille returned to the ATP Tour with after receiving a wildcard into the Andalucia Open where he was defeated in a tight three set match by Ricardas Berankis. However, the Frenchman has had success in Monte Carlo reaching the semifinals in 2017, and after an opening round straight sets win over Guido Pella, Pouille will have confidence heading into his second round match.
In Alexei Popyrin, Pouille faces a tough test. The Australian won his first ATP Tour title in Singapore this season, and recorded impressive wins over Feliciano Lopez and Reilly Opelka at the Miami Open, before losing in a tight three set match to Daniil Medvedev. Popyrin is consistently winning matches every week and his ranking is on the rise. I thin k this will go to a deciding set but I think the Australian will get the win as he has been in better form.
Prediction Popyrin in 3
Salvatore Caruso vs Andrey Rublev
Head to Head: 1-0 Rublev
Andrey Rublev is having a fantastic season Part of the Russian team, he won the ATP Cup to start the year before reaching the quarterfinals of the Australian Open. Rublev then went on to win the ATP 500 event in Rotterdam, but recently he has suffered two disappointing defeats in the semifinals of Dubai and Miami. However, the Russian has undoubtedly been the most consistent player on the ATP Tour this season and will be looking to continue his fine form during the clay court season.
In Salvatore Caruso, Rublev faces an opponent who will be consistent in the rallies. Although struggling for form, the Italian has reached the third round of the French Open and the US Open (where he lost to Rublev in straight sets). Caruso will look to outlast Rublev from the back of the court. However, with the Russian’s firepower, it will be difficult for the Italian to get into Rublev’s service games. I’m expecting a win for Rublev.
Prediction: Rublev in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
