We are set for a brilliant day of action at ATP Monte Carlo with one exciting match-up after another in the Round of 16. As always, we here at LWOT will preview and predict every match. Who do you think will make the quarterfinals?
ATP Monte Carlo Day 5 Predictions
Hubert Hurkacz vs Jannik Sinner
Head-to-head: Hurkacz 2-1 Sinner
After struggling through March, Hurkacz has ground out a couple of wins here in Monte Carlo. The Pole outlasted Laslo Djere in three tiebreaks before beating Jack Draper 7-5 in the third. Sinner, coming off of a final in Miami, could be a dark horse this clay season, contending for the biggest titles. The Italian got a second-set retirement from Diego Schwartzman in his Monte Carlo opener. Hurkacz leads their head-to-head, beating Sinner in the 2021 Miami final and last year in Dubai. The two have never met on clay though and with Sinner’s current form, he is the favorite for me.
Prediction: Sinner in 3
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Andrey Rublev vs Karen Khachanov
Head-to-head: Khachanov 3-2 Rublev
After a promising start to the season with an Australian Open quarterfinal and Dubai final, Rublev failed to reach the quarterfinals in either Indian Wells or Miami. The 2021 Monte Carlo finalist lost his first set here to Jaume Munar, coming back to defeat the Spaniard 4-6 6-2 6-2. Khachanov is having a strong year, already reaching the semifinals at the Australian Open and Miami. The Russian is now through to the third round in Monte Carlo for the first time since 2018 after wins over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and Ilya Ivashka. This will be the sixth meeting between Khachanov and Rublev, the first one dating back to their teenage years on the Futures circuit in 2014. In their first clay meeting here, I see Rublev as a slight favorite.
Prediction: Rublev in 2
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Matteo Berrettini vs Holger Rune
Head-to-head: Berrettini 1-1 Rune
Berrettini is yet to really get going this season, coming into Monte Carlo with a 7-7 record. After the switch to clay, the Italian dispatched Maxime Cressy before winning a wild battle against Francisco Cerundolo which saw Berrettini lose a 5-0 lead in the first set to ultimately win 6-4 in the third. Rune started with a solid 6-2 6-4 win over Dominic Thiem. I expect the young Dane to win in straight sets again.
Prediction: Rune in 2
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Novak Djokovic vs Lorenzo Musetti
Head-to-head: Djokovic 3-0 Musetti
Djokovic opened his clay season against Russian qualifier Ivan Gakhov, dispatching the 26-year-old in the biggest match of his life in straight sets. Musetti is playing his best tennis of the season, beating Miomir Kecmanovic 7-6 6-0 as the Serb was coming off the Estoril final before double bageling his countryman Luca Nardi. Musetti pushed Djokovic in their first meeting at the 2021 Roland Garros and the Italian’s confidence coming into this match should make it interesting.
Prediction: Djokovic in 3
Main Photo Credit: Mitchell Gunn-USA TODAY Sports
