Lob and Smash
Fansided

ATP Monte Carlo: Thursday Order of Play

By Geoff Nichols

facebooktwitterreddit

ATP Monte Carlo: Thursday Order of Play

The Monte Carlo Masters continues on Thursday with third round action where surely a record breaking number of seeded players are on show. The last 16 is made up of fifteen of the top sixteen events which is an unusual sight for a Masters event.

It goes to show that whilst lower ranked players may be clay court specialists, natural talent remains the most important factor on any surface. The efficiency with which the top players have transitioned to the red dirt has been remarkable across the board.

The only seed to have not made it this far is Ernests Gulbis, the 13th seed. The Latvian is no stranger to surprise defeats and has endured a difficult start to 2015. He will see his ranking decline rapidly in the coming months if he can’t string some wins together.

Order of Play

COURT CENTRAL

Start 10:30 am

[7] Stan Wawrinka (SUI) v [9] Grigor Dimitrov (BUL)

[14] Gael Monfils (FRA v [2] Roger Federer (SUI)

[3] Rafael Nadal (ESP) v [15]John Isner (USA)

[1] Novak Djokovic (SRB) v Andreas Haider-Maurer (AUT)

The beautiful setting of Monte Carlo has a Court Central line up fitting the magnificent backdrop, with Djokovic, Federer and Nadal headlining the third round action. All three will head into their matches as heavy favourites and look to have avoided a slow start on the clay.

Federer has arguably the toughest test of the three against the vibrant Gael Monfils, whose athletic defensive skills allow him to play some jaw dropping tennis on the clay. Isner is no walkover for Nadal also, with the big American pushing some top players on the surface in the past.

COURT DES PRINCES

Start 10:30 am

[16] Tommy Robredo (ESP) v [4] Milos Raonic (CAN)

[6] Tomas Berdych (CZE) v [12] Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP)

[11] Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) v [8] Marin Cilic (CRO)

[10] Gilles Simon (FRA) v [5] David Ferrer (ESP)

At most events the Court des Princes action would belong on the centre court, but such is the talent on show on Thursday at the Monte Carlo Masters, those who missed out on the top tickets will still have a number of top players to witness.

Milos Raonic, with his highest ever seeding at a Masters level event, will be looking to meet his seeding and reach the semi finals, but this will not be easy with Spanish veteran Tommy Robredo a difficult obstacle in his path. Spanish compatriot Roberto Bautista Agut could ask similar questions to Tomas Berdych.

Game of the Day – Wawrinka v Dimitrov

Head to Head: 2-1 Wawrinka

This will be one for the tennis purists, as both men know how to play attractive on the tennis court. With clay causing the rallies to be protracted, I think this will turn into a battle of Wawrinka’s aggression and Dimitrov’s stubbornness in defence.

More from ATP

Wawrinka will look to get good depth from both wings and Dimitrov will need to keep the ball away from the centre of the court to prevent the Swiss from dictating the majority of the rallies. This was the pattern that developed in their only other meeting on clay in 2013 at the Madrid Masters where Wawrinka won in three.

Dimitrov won their most recent meeting on the grass of Queens club in 2014, although Wawrinka went through a mid season lull that made him an easy opponent. I think he has started 2015 in the better form of the two, which should carry him through on Thursday.

Prediction – Wawrinka in three

[table id=33 /]

Next: Will Stan Wawrinka be a one slam wonder?

More from Lob and Smash

Home/ATP