The ATP Monte Carlo Masters is one of just two 1000-level events that is still played over the course of a single week – which means that there is plenty of entertaining tennis to be enjoyed across all seven days. As ever, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate on day two, but who will book their spot in the second round?
ATP Monte Carlo Day 2 Predictions
Stan Wawrinka vs Alejandro Tabilo
Head-to-head: first meeting
Stan Wawrinka is obviously nearing the end of his career, but recent weeks have shown he’s still got a bit left in the tank. He’s playing his brand of clay tennis with monstrous power unleashed from way behind the baseline and doing well. Bucharest wasn’t a bad display of stamina either with the three-hour win over Timofey Skatov. Against someone who’s as out of form/confidence as Alejandro Tabilo, that might as well be enough.
Prediction: Wawrinka in 3
Bu Yunchaokete vs Lorenzo Musetti
Head-to-head: Bu 1-0 Musetti
Bu Yunchaokete posted a great win over Lorenzo Musetti in Beijing last year, but has since struggled to replicate that level elsewhere. It’s also way easier to touch the Italian on hard courts than in the slow, windy conditions in Monte Carlo. Musetti usually plays well here and has a much more versatile game than his opponent. Bu’s style was perfect for grinding down the veteran Albert Ramos-Vinolas in the qualifying, but it’s unclear what he can do to trouble Musetti on the dirt.
Prediction: Musetti in 2
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Mariano Navone vs Matteo Berrettini
Head-to-head: Berrettini 1-0 Navone
This is a little unfortunate for both players as probably the most dangerous of the qualifiers is running into someone in very good shape of late. Mariano Navone’s expertise in clay-court rallying is evident any time he plays, while Matteo Berrettini is just among the top echelon of the sport regardless of conditions. The Argentinian has had a few matches recently where he could have gone on a deeper ATP Tour run, but was outplayed in the key moments. He’d need to be absolutely clinical here.
Prediction: Berrettini in 3
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina vs Ben Shelton
Head-to-head: Davidovich Fokina 1-0
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina reached the final at this event three years ago, which remains the biggest achievement of his career. His form has been pretty strong this season and he’s a deadly draw for Ben Shelton here. While the American has the skillset to play at least decently on clay with his athleticism and lefty topspin, way too often you can see he just doesn’t trust his baseline game that much. He needs to realize he doesn’t need to ballbash and he’s just not quite there yet.
Prediction: Davidovich Fokina in 3
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Main photo credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
