The European clay court season has officially commenced following a week of smaller tournaments worldwide. The prestigious ATP Monte Carlo Masters, the inaugural ATP 1000 event of the clay swing, is now in full swing. Day two promises an action-packed schedule featuring twelve opening-round encounters. We offer our predictions for every match, including key matchups like Andrey Rublev vs Nuno Borges and Stan Wawrinka vs Sebastian Baez. Which players will advance deeper into the tournament?
Monte Carlo Masters: Day 2 Match Previews
Valentin Vacherot vs Juan Manuel Cerundolo
Head-to-head: first meeting
Valentin Vacherot has the unique advantage of competing before a home crowd, a factor that frequently boosts performance. Yet, this match will be far from easy, as Juan Manuel Cerundolo is a natural on slow clay, excelling in prolonged baseline exchanges. Although Vacherot typically favors quicker courts, he has demonstrated an ability to perform under the pressure of local support. Possessing superior raw power in his groundstrokes and serve, Vacherot stands a good chance of victory if he can minimize unforced errors.
Prediction: Vacherot in 3
Denis Shapovalov vs Alexander Blockx
Head-to-head: first meeting
Alexander Blockx, a projected participant in the 2025 Next Gen ATP Finals, has climbed into the top 100, driven by his accurate serve, robust forehand, and consistent success on the Challenger circuit. While he’s still working on replicating that form on the ATP Tour, this encounter with Denis Shapovalov could be a confidence booster, particularly given his Challenger-level victory over the Canadian two years prior. Clay might not ideally complement Shapovalov’s game, but it offers him more time to set up his aggressive shots, potentially curbing the unforced errors that often plague him. Should this be the case, a narrow win for Shapovalov would be a plausible outcome.
Prediction: Shapovalov in 3
Daniel Altmaier vs Tomas Machac
Head-to-head: Machac 1-0 Altmaier
Daniel Altmaier and Tomas Machac offer an intriguing clash of playing styles. Machac is expected to be the aggressor, relying on his precise ball-striking, while Altmaier, the more inherent clay-court specialist, will seek to prevail through extended, grinding rallies. Altmaier’s distinctive loopy one-handed backhand can be particularly effective on slow clay. Nevertheless, Altmaier’s challenging start to the season, marked by a prolonged losing streak, indicates that defeating an opponent of Machac’s caliber might be beyond his current reach.
Prediction: Machac in 3
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Francisco Cerundolo
Head-to-head: Tsitsipas 2-0 Cerundolo
Stefanos Tsitsipas, a former three-time Monte Carlo champion, will compete against Francisco Cerundolo in what many consider the marquee match of the day. Tsitsipas has seen a decline in his performance and ranking over the past year, whereas Cerundolo has consistently achieved strong results, especially on clay, where his forehand is a formidable asset. Both athletes will strive to dictate play with their forehands, and the player who succeeds in this endeavor will likely gain control of the contest. Despite Tsitsipas’ recent difficulties, his extensive experience and proven track record at this specific tournament provide him with a distinct advantage.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in 3