Day 3 is in the books at the ATP Monte Carlo Masters, and it was a great day of tennis. We continue to predict the matches, including three of the battles on Day 4 in this article.
We have the rest of the day’s matches between three separate articles. One features Novak Djokovic vs Jannik Sinner, another Salvatore Caruso vs Andrey Rublev, and the third Rafael Nadal vs Federico Delbonis.
ATP Monte Carlo Day 4 Predictions
Filip Krajinovic vs Juan Ignacio Londero
Head to Head: Never Played
Kraijinovic has had a mixed start to the 2021 season, losing an epic five set third round match against Daniil Medvedev at the Australian Open. Since then, he has only played in two events, with his only win since coming his opening round in Dubai against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. Despite not being in the best of form the Serb is always a threat and is difficult for opponents to hit through from the back of the court.
Juan Ignacio Londero has not won a main tour match this season and is also struggling for form. However, the Argentine does have pedigree on the clay, having won the inaugural Cordoba Open in 2019, before going on to reach the fourth round of Roland Garros. This will be a match with many long rallies and I expect that it will be a close match, but I think the Serb will get the win in two tight sets.
Prediction: Krajinovic in 2
Marco Cecchinato vs David Goffin
Head to Head: 2-1 Goffin
Marco Cecchinato has had a difficult year on the ATP Tour, only winning one Tour-level match this season before the ATP Monte Carlo Masters, at the Cordoba Open against Hugo Dellien. However in the opening round he beat Dominic Koepfer in straight sets and maybe this can be the beginning of the Italian regaining momentum and form.
David Goffin recorded an impressive and hard-fought three set win over Marin Cilic in the opening round. The Belgian has won a title this season in Lyon, but it has been a mixed bag in 2021 for Goffin as he lost his opening round matches in Dubai and Miami, managing to only win four games in the latter. There is no doubt that Goffin, a former semifinalist in Monte Carlo back in 2017 can be a threat on this surface and his backhand is one of the world’s best and there is a lot of variety in his game. I think this will go to three sets with the Belgian getting the win due to being more consistent in the rallies and because of his superior return game.
Prediction: Goffin in 3
Dan Evans vs Hubert Hurkacz
Head to Head: 1-0 Hurkacz
Dan Evans showed the extent of the variety in his game in an impressive victory over 2019 Monte Carlo finalist Dusan Lajovic in the opening round. The British willingness to come to the net and his strong defense on the backhand side proved to be a winning formula on the red clay of the Monte Carlo Country Club. Despite not being his best surface, there is no reason why Evans can’t enjoy success this clay court season.
Hubert Hurkacz will be brimming with confidence following his win at the Miami Open, however he was made to work hard in his opening round victory against Thomas Fabbiano. Hurkacz has a good all court game, with a great serve, however it is his backhand and return of serve that has been on fire recently. I think this will go to a deciding set, but i think Hurkacz has a stronger serve and return than Evans and he will come through with the win.
Prediction: Hurkacz in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
