The schedule on day four at the ATP Monte Carlo Masters features 12 interesting second-round match-ups with four top 10 players will be in action, as well as one former Monte Carlo champion. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the schedule, including Alexander Zverev vs Roberto Bautista Agut and Dominic Thiem vs Holger Rune. But who will reach the third round?
ATP Monte Carlo Day 4 Predictions
Nicolas Jarry vs Alexei Popyrin
Head-to-head: first meeting
Nicolas Jarry has won 11 of 14 tour matches in 2023 – a run which includes winning the Santiago title and reaching the semifinals in Rio (both on clay). The 27-year-old Chilean eased past world #20 Borna Coric 6-2 6-3 in the opening round in Monaco. Popyrin, who is 8-7 at ATP level this year, overcame Vit Kopriva and Benoit Paire (after trailing 2-6, 1-5) to qualify in Monaco, before beating Dusan Lajovic 7-6(1), 6-3 in the opening round. Jarry’s superb form this year and superior clay-court prowess should see him past the 23-year-old Australian.
Prediction: Jarry in 2
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Francisco Cerundolo vs Matteo Berrettini
Head-to-head: first meeting
Francisco Cerundolo earned a quality 6-3 6-4 victory over world #14 Cameron Norrie in the first round on Monday. The Argentine made the quarterfinals of the Miami Open in his last tournament and is now back on his favored clay where he has a 23-20 tour record. Matteo Berrettini, who saw off Maxime Cressy in straight sets in the opening round, has had an underwhelming 6-6 start to the year though, more encouragingly, the Italian boasts a fine 45-20 clay-court record at tour-level. While both players possess dominant forehands. Cerundolo’s excellent first round win and better overall form could see him through, given Berrettini has not been close to his best yet this year.
Prediction: Cerundolo in 3
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Taylor Fritz vs Stan Wawrinka
Head-to-head: Wawrinka 2-0 Fritz
Taylor Fritz comes into the European clay season after reaching back-to-back quarterfinals in Indian Wells and Miami. The world #10 – who reached the last eight in Monte Carlo last year – will be playing his first clay-court match since the 2022 French Open. Stan Wawrinka made an encouraging run to the last 16 in Indian Wells in his last event and battled past Tallon Griekspoor in three sets in the opening round in Monte Carlo. The 38-year-old’s wins over Fritz came in 2016 and 2018, so will likely have little bearing on this contest. The American’s impressive form may give him a slight edge over 2014 champion Wawrinka, who was not entirely convincing in beating Griekspoor.
Prediction: Fritz in 3
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Botic van de Zandschulp vs Casper Ruud
Head-to-head: Van De Zandschulp 3-1 Ruud
Botic van de Zandschulp saved two match points as he came from a set down to beat Marton Fucsovics in the opening round at the ATP Monte Carlo Masters. Casper Ruud had failed to win consecutive matches in five tour events this year until he won four to claim the Estoril title last week.
The Norwegian was a semifinalist in Monte Carlo in 2021 and must be accounted amongst the favourites once again. That said, van de Zandschulp has proven to be a nemesis for Ruud since winning the pair’s first clash at the 2021 US Open, though the head-to-head is tied 1-1 on clay. Expect the world #4’s confidence from his title run should help him avenge his recent three-set defeat to the Dutchman in Miami.
Prediction: Ruud in 3
Main photo credit: Burke-USA TODAY Sports
