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
Jan-Lennard Struff vs Casper Ruud
Head-to-head: Struff 2-0 Ruud
After two Round of 16 appearances in Monte Carlo back in 2017 and 2018, the 32-year-old Struff is back. The German bested Juan Pablo Varillas and Emil Ruusuvuori in qualifying before taking out Albert Ramos-Vinolas and Alex de Minaur without dropping a set. Ruud, playing himself into form last week in Estoril with a title, will need a big clay season to remain among the tennis elite. The Norwegian started well with a tight straight-set win over Botic van de Zandschulp. Struff has won both of their previous meetings in straight sets, beating Ruud in Monte Carlo in 2017 as well as at the 2019 US Open. Struff will push Ruud but the Norwegian will win out.
Prediction: Ruud in 3
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Nicolas Jarry vs Stefanos Tsitsipas
Head-to-head: Jarry 1-0 Tsitsipas
After an incredible showing from Jarry at the Golden Swing, winning his hometown tournament in Santiago and reaching the semifinals of the Rio 500, the Chilean chose to skip Indian Wells and Miami. Jarry returned with a surprising loss to Andrea Vavassori in Marrakech but has been back to his previous level in Monte Carlo, taking out Borna Coric and Alexei Popyrin. Tsitsipas, the defending two-time champion in Monte Carlo, will have a lot to prove in this match. After his brilliant form to start the year, reaching the final of the Australian Open, Tsitsipas has failed to make an impact since. He got a retirement from Benjamin Bonzi after just five games so this match against Jarry will be his first test on clay.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in 3
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Taylor Fritz vs Jiri Lehecka
Head-to-head: Fritz 1-0 Lehecka
Since his second-round Australian Open exit, Fritz has been solid through February with a title and two semifinals, then reaching quarterfinals at Indian Wells and Miami. The American was pushed all the way in the first set by Stan Wawrinka but managed to close the match out in straights. Lehecka took a step forward in Australia and has played solidly in Monte Carlo, eliminating Emil Ruusuvuori and Grigor Dimitrov in straight sets. This is a pure coin flip match-up for me on clay, I will lean toward Lehecka here.
Prediction: Lehecka in 3
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Daniil Medvedev vs Alexander Zverev
Head-to-head: Medvedev 7-6 Zverev
The 14th match-up between Medvedev and Zverev and the first one on clay courts. Medvedev has been dominant since February but clay is where he is at his weakest while Zverev has enjoyed some of his peaks on the surface but has struggled to recapture his pre-injury form. The German came back from a set down against Alexander Bublik in the first round before ousting Roberto Bautista Agut. Medvedev looked good in his 6-3 6-2 win over Lorenzo Sonego though, so I will stick with the in-form player.
Prediction: Medvedev in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
