The European clay season has begun with exciting matches, and the Rolex Monte Carlo Masters continues to deliver increasing intensity daily. This piece provides a detailed look at the upcoming clashes, including the highly anticipated encounter between World No.3 Alexander Zverev and Chilean qualifier Cristian Garin. We offer our predictions for all featured matches to see who is likely to advance.
ATP Monte Carlo Day 4 Predictions
Jiri Lehecka vs Alejandro Tabilo
Head-to-Head: Lehecka 1-0 Tabilo
While Jiri Lehecka possesses significant power, Emilio Nava notably matched and even surpassed it in their first-round match, striking 43 winners compared to Lehecka’s 19. Nevertheless, the Czech demonstrated impressive consistency and tactical maturity, frequently approaching the net – a strategy he should maintain throughout the clay season. Alejandro Tabilo secured a more comfortable first-round win and likely feels confident about his prospects in this match. Given Lehecka’s recent heavy schedule, his performance could suffer if the match turns into a physically demanding battle.
Prediction: Tabilo in 3
Hubert Hurkacz vs Fabian Marozsan
Head-to-Head: Hurkacz 1-0 Marozsan
Hubert Hurkacz ended a seven-match losing streak with a three-set victory over Luciano Darderi, a win that likely relieved significant pressure and provides a foundation for future success. If Hurkacz can maintain his top-tier serve and defensive focus, similar to his recent performance, he stands to improve his results on clay this season. However, Fabian Marozsan is favored in this encounter, possessing similar power to Darderi but with superior consistency.
Prediction: Marozsan in 3
Andrey Rublev vs Zizou Bergs
Head-to-Head: Rublev 1-1 Bergs
Former Monte Carlo champion Andrey Rublev overcame Nuno Borges in a fluctuating match. While the overall quality wasn’t peak, Rublev showed resilience by recovering after the second set. A medical timeout during the match raises questions about his fitness for the upcoming round. Even if the issue isn’t severe, Rublev must elevate his game considerably to defeat Zizou Bergs, who displayed strong form against Adrian Mannarino. Despite fitness concerns, the Russian is still expected to prevail, but it will likely require a strenuous effort.
Prediction: Rublev in 3
Alexander Zverev vs Cristian Garin
Head-to-Head: Zverev 2-1 Garin
Alexander Zverev aims to commence his clay season strongly, setting the stage for his ultimate ambition of claiming the French Open title. Historically, he has shown a tendency to start slowly on this surface, making Monte Carlo his least successful Masters 1000 event on clay. However, Cristian Garin is currently not at his former level. Despite a favorable historical record against Zverev, it’s unlikely he will pose a significant challenge to the German in this match.
Prediction: Zverev in 2