It’s the last remaining matches from the first round and some encounters from the next stage of the tournament on Tuesday at the 2024 Monte-Carlo Masters. Alexander Zverev takes on a familiar foe in Sebastian Ofner (head-to-head 3-0), while Alex de Minaur is in for a fascinating matchup with Stan Wawrinka. Who do you think will come out on top at ATP Monte Carlo?
ATP Monte Carlo Day 3 Predictions
Alex de Minaur vs Stan Wawrinka
Head-to-head: First meeting
This is an interesting one. People tend to underestimate Alex de Minaur on clay courts, but the Australian put in a lot of effort training in Spain over the year and improving his dirt game. The problem is that the results haven’t always reflected it, so maybe the doubters have a point. Stan Wawrinka could have a shot at him on a court like this, where he’ll have all the time in the world to power through the ball. But won’t de Minaur, who is in fantastic form this season, simply outlast the veteran?
Prediction: de Minaur in 3
Gael Monfils vs Jordan Thompson
Head-to-head: 1-1
Gael Monfils likely won’t repeat his 2016 run when he made the final here, but the 37-year-old is still going pretty strong. In Estoril last week, he missed three match points against Marton Fucsovics and will be looking to bounce back from that disappointment. The good news for him is that this is a very nice draw. He recently defeated Jordan Thompson in Miami, and even with all the progress the Australian has made in the last few years, clay will never be his favorite surface as he struggles to get consistent depth on the forehand and is quite serve-reliant.
Prediction: Monfils in 2
Borna Coric vs Jan-Lennard Struff
Head-to-head: Struff 4-2
Last year’s quarterfinalist was almost out at the first hurdle, but Jan-Lennard Struff managed to claw his way back from 1-6 2-5 down against Sebastian Baez to survive. The German has won plenty of matches like this recently, including the 11-9 deciding set tie-break against Borna Coric in Indian Wells. This one looks pretty close again. After his injuries, the Croat has generally been more of a threat in quicker conditions with the more compact forehand motion and being a bit more proactive on the forehand side. Maybe Struff can have a slight edge.
Prediction: Struff in 3
Alexander Zverev vs Sebastian Ofner
Head-to-head: Zverev 3-0
It hasn’t been a pleasant season for Sebastian Ofner so far, and even getting through his opening round here (so comfortably, too) has to be regarded as a big win. Can he beat Alexander Zverev, though? It feels like he’s had better opportunities to trouble the German before and never took a set. Other than the exit to Daniel Altmaier in Acapulco, the World No. 5 has been very consistent this season. He also hasn’t lost before the third round in Monte Carlo since playing it for the first time in 2016.
Prediction: Zverev in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane – USA TODAY Sports