Day 3 at the ATP Monte Carlo Masters features incredible matches from the world’s best, including Novak Djokovic, who makes his ATP Tour return. Players are looking to find their footing on the clay with a massive amount of points up for grabs in Monte Carlo. We at LWOT will have all the predictions for you, including Novak Djokovic vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
ATP Monte Carlo Day 3 Predictions
Lorenzo Sonego vs Ilya Ivashka
Head-to-Head: First meeting
#16 seed Lorenzo Sonego will look to get back into form against World #44 Ilya Ivashka. Sonego has lost his last five matches having not secured a win since mid-February. Ilya Ivashka missed all of March with a wrist injury and is looking to finally grab some footing having only played in seven matches this season. The clay is the preferred surface for the Italian, holding a 10% higher career winning percentage on the surface compared to hard court. I like Sonego to round into shape the next few weeks before Roland Garros and believe he will get back on track against Ivashka, who is currently lacking match fitness.
Prediction: Sonego in 2
David Goffin vs Jiri Lehecka
Head-to-Head: First meeting
After winning last week in Marrakech, David Goffin received a wild card entry into the Monte Carlo Masters. His Round 1 opponent, Jiri Lehecka, worked his way through qualifying to enter into the main draw. The veteran Belgian strung together five wins last week to win his first clay court title since 2014. It is good to see former World #7 David Goffin in form as has struggled mightily over the past 12 months. 20-year-old Jiri Lehecka put together two strong wins in qualifying over Henri Laaksonen and Benjamin Bonzi. The youngster has played just 10 career tour-level main draw matches, holding an 0-3 record on the clay. Fatigue is a bit of a factor for Goffin, but I think his current form should win out.
Prediction: Goffin in 2
Oscar Otte vs Emil Ruusuvuori
Head-to-Head: First meeting
Lucky Loser Oscar Otte is into the draw after Cristian Garin pulled out of the tournament. His opponent, Emil Ruusuvuori, won both of his qualifying matches to enter into the draw. Both players have a huge opportunity to advance into Round 2 at a Masters 1000 tournament having won a combined three tour-level main draw matches on clay. Ruusuvuori has reached one quarterfinal and one semifinal at tour-level events this season. Otte has just four main-draw wins. Because of this, I favor the Fin.
Prediction: Ruusuvuori in 3
Novak Djokovic vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
Head-to-Head: Djokovic leads 2-0
World #1 Novak Djokovic returns to the court for what will be his first clay-court and 4th overall match of the season. The 20-time Grand Slam champion will certainly be motivated to pick up wins considering his lack of tennis this season. That could be a scary sight for Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, who was dispatched by Djokovic twice in 2021. The Spaniard loves the clay and picked up a solid 7-5 6-3 Round 1 win over Marcos Giron. It was a much needed win for Davidovich Fokina who had lost five of six coming into Monte Carlo. I am a fan of Davidovich Fokina’s game and think he will be a factor during the clay season, but an extra motivated Novak Djokovic is not someone who drops sets let alone matches. Djokovic should cruise.
Prediction: Djokovic in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
