The first ATP Masters 1000 clay court event is underway as the Tour descends on Monte Carlo, Monaco, for the Rolex Monte Carlo Masters. 56 of the best players in the world began in this field, including world No. 1 Novak Djokovic and back-to-back champion Stefanos Tstisipas. Day 4 in Monte Carlo is filled with intriguing second-round matches, including next-gen star Holger Rune taking on former world No. 3 Dominic Thiem. We at LWOT have the preview and prediction for that match and all other happenings around the grounds of Monte Carlo. But who will advance?
ATP Monte Carlo Day 4 Predictions
Grigor Dimitrov vs Jiri Lehecka
Head-to-Head: Dimitrov 1-1 Lehecka
Grigor Dimitrov navigated a tricky first-round matchup against Ben Shelton and finds himself facing another youngster in Round 2. 21-year-old Jiri Lehecka is playing some of the best tennis of his career and has a chance to be seeded in Paris if he plays a strong next four weeks of tennis. These two have split their previous meetings; both hard-court matches in 2022. This has the makings of a highly contested battle with many long rallies and incredible shot-making. Ultimately, I trust Dimitrov to raise his level when it matters most. He is a four-time quarterfinalist at this event and plays well on the courts of Monte Carlo.
Prediction: Dimitrov in 3
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Alex de Minaur vs Jan-Lennard Struff
Head-to-Head: de Minaur 2-1 Struff
Alex de Minaur dispatched Andy Murray in Round 1 6-1 6-3. Although it was just Murray’s fifth clay court match since 2017, de Minaur did a terrific job of controlling points and finishing off the Brit with variety. In Round 2, de Minaur draws Jan-Lennard Struff. The big German defeated No. 1 qualifying seed Emil Ruusuvuori and Albert Ramos-Vinolas in Round 1. He is playing with confidence after recently breaking back into the top 100. Unfortunately for Struff, I do not believe his power will affect the speed and consistency of de Minaur. I expect the Aussie to wear down the German in a tight two-set match.
Prediction: de Minaur in 2
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Daniil Medvedev vs Lorenzo Sonego
Head-to-Head: Medvedev 1-0 Sonego
Daniil Medvedev has been one of the most in-form players on the ATP Tour this season. He has won 25 of his last 26 matches and is No. 1 in the Live Race to Turin. That said, the 27-year-old has had notorious struggles on the clay. He takes on Lorenzo Sonego in Round 2. The Italian favors the clay and made a run to the quarterfinal of this event back in 2019. Although Medvedev’s struggles on clay courts have been documented, if he can keep a clear head and administer a patient style of play, he should have no trouble getting past Sonego.
Prediction: Medvedev in 2
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Holger Rune vs Dominic Thiem
Head-to-Head: first meeting
One of the matches of the day in Monte Carlo takes place between No. 6 seed Holger Rune and former world No. 3 Dominic Thiem. This will be the first meeting between the two. Rune comes into this match having won just three combined matches during the Sunshine Double. He has shown a proclivity to clay early in his career but faces a tall task against Thiem. It has been a long road back from wrist surgery for the Austrian, but he is finally rounding into some solid form. He reached the quarterfinals in Estoril last week and ousted Richard Gasquet 6-1 6-4 in Monte Carlo’s first round. Thiem’s shotmaking ability is back at a level where he should be able to trouble Rune. However, I struggle to see him able to hold this level for three hours against a 19-year-old who will not give anything up easily.
Prediction: Rune in 3
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
