ATP Monte Carlo: Thursday Predictions, Nadal to cruise

By Geoff Nichols | Apr 15, 2015

ATP Monte Carlo: Thursday Predictions, Nadal to cruise

The Monte Carlo Masters third round is set for Thursday, following a remarkable days play on Wednesday. Every seed in action was victorious, which makes for a stellar field for the last 16, all of whom have made a fantastic transition to the clay.

Predictions

COURT CENTRAL

Start 10:30 am

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

What an incredible match for a third round tie, we have looked at this headline match in more detail here. Both men will be fighting for court position and whoever relinquishes this first will have to do a lot of running. Wawrinka’s shots seem to be more penetrating right now. Wawrinka in three.

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

Federer has a dominant record against Monfils and seems capable of looking past the antics of the Frenchman and getting the job done. He looked focussed against Chardy, but so did Monfils against Dolgopolov. Federer is playing with such confidence that he is heavy favourite. Federer in two

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

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Isner has been playing some impressive tennis in recent weeks and will definitely fancy a match against Nadal, eyeing a famous win on the Spaniard’s favourite surface. Nadal has made a career out of grinding out clay court victories and whilst he hasn’t been at his best in 2015, he should edge this one. Nadal in three

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

Haider-Maurer is the only seed left in the draw and of all players to be facing on the other side of the net, he won’t have wanted it to be Djokovic, who seems to be consistently ruthless against lower ranked opponents. It could well be one of those matches where the Austrian only wins a handful of games. Djokovic in 2

COURT DES PRINCES

Start 10:30 am

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

We are yet to truly see what level Raonic can bring to the court on clay, whereas over the years we have seen Robredo play well on the surface. However, Robredo isn’t one of those Spaniards who is an immovable object on the red dirt and I think Raonic will want to put a marker down. Raonic in three

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

Berdych has started the year hitting the ball very hard and it will be interesting to see if this strategy can pay dividends on the clay. Bautista Agut prides himself on his consistency and this could be enough depending on what attitude his Czech opponent turns up with. Berdych in two

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

Two men who certainly aren’t playing at their best, this is a match where either man could step up and win. Tsonga is due a deep run in a tournament to show that he is still relevant, whilst I would put into questions Cilic’s current level of motivation. Tsonga in 3

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

This match could well be recorded and put in a coaching manual for how the patient on court. Especially on clay this match will be the definition of a grind, but I think Ferrer will ultimately be too good. You have to question what weapons Simon has to hurt the Spaniard. Ferrer in two

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Next: Will Stan Wawrinka be a one slam wonder?

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