The Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, the first clay court Masters of the season, is here and promises high-octane tennis. Three first-round matches are scheduled on Day 1, featuring the former semifinalist, Richard Gasquet, who will play here for the final time. As always, we at LWOT will offer predictions for every match on the slate. But who will advance?
ATP Monte-Carlo Day 1 Predictions
Jan-Lennard Struff vs Valentin Vacherot
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Jan-Lennard Struff had a horrible first three months of the season, and the European clay season couldn’t have come sooner for the German player. Struff has played some great tennis at the Monte-Carlo Masters in the last two editions and will look to replicate it again. He desperately needs match wins as he is on the verge of dropping outside the top 50 for the first time since 2023. He will face the local wild card, Valentin Vacherot, who has never won a tour-level match outside of the Davis Cup. Vahcrot will have the crowd support, and with Struff’s recent form, this match could get close. However, I still expect Struff to find a way to win.
Prediction: Struff in 3
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard vs Jordan Thompson
Head-to-Head: Perricard 0-3 Thompson
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard won his first tour-level title on clay and would be extremely excited to make his debut at the Monte-Carlo Masters. However, his form is not great this season, and he will face a tough opponent in the first round. The Frenchman’s last match was against Jordan Thompson in Miami, where he lost to the Australian in straight sets. Thompson has a great record against Perricard and knows how to win key points. But this is the first time these two will meet on clay, which is Thompson’s worst surface. Perricard’s serve will still be impactful, and he will have extra time from baseline.
Prediction: Perricard in 3
Richard Gasquet vs Matteo Arnaldi
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Richard Gasquet first played at this historic event back in 2002 as a 15-year-old boy. 23 years later, he will play here for the final time. The French legend’s retirement is close, but he is still capable of delivering amazing tennis, as he demonstrated last week in Bucharest against Botic van de Zandschulp. He also took a set from Flavio Cobolli, who is currently in the final of the Bucharest Open. Matteo Arnaldi is a solid clay courter but he is playing his first clay match this season, and maybe it will take him some time to find his feet. I can see Gasquet starting strong but the Italian should win once he finds his rhythm.
Prediction: Arnaldi in 3
Main Photo Credit: Jerry Lai – USA TODAY Sports
