The Monte-Carlo Masters gets off to a Sunday start, with Thanasi Kokkinakis back in action following his Miami upset of Roger Federer. Kokkinakis is facing Karen Khachanov, while Mischa Zverev is going up against Felix Auger-Aliassime.
(WC) Thanasi Kokkinakis vs. Karen Khachanov
Khachanov and Kokkinakis will be going head-to-head for the first time in their careers when they clash in round one of the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters on Sunday afternoon. Kokkinakis is coming off a shocking upset of Roger Federer in Miami, where he eventually lost to Fernando Verdasco in the third round. The 22-year-old Australian is slowly making his way back from a myriad of injury problems and he currently registers at No. 148 in the world–almost 30 spots better than when he arrived in Miami.
It is no surprise that these two youngsters have never faced each other, as Kokkinakis was sidelined when Khachanov truly arrived on tour. The 21-year-old has worked his way up to 40th in the rankings, good enough to put himself in the mix for seeding at the French Open and Wimbledon. Khachanov is a decent 12-7 this season with a title on the indoor hard courts of Marseille. Clay also represents a surface advantage for the Russian, who won 13 matches on the slow stuff in 2017 and reached the fourth round at Roland Garros.
Pick: Khachanov in 2
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Mischa Zverev vs. (WC) Felix Auger-Aliassime
The youngest player ever to win a match on the Challenger Tour, the 17-year-old Auger-Aliassime is hoping to start making a name for himself at the ATP level. Just 1-3 lifetime in main-draw action on the main tour, the Canadian registers at No. 176 in the world. One of his most productive events yet came at the recent Indian Wells Masters, where he successfully qualified, beat Vasek Pospisil, and then lost to another compatriot in Milos Raonic. Thereafter, however, Auger-Aliassime lost right away in Miami qualifying and fell in round two of a clay-court Challenger event in Spain.
Up first in Monte-Carlo for the teenager is a showdown with Zverev, whom he has never faced. The 30-year-old German comes in at a solid ranking off 55th thanks mostly to 2017 success, but his 2018 campaign has been a disaster. Zverev’s 4-10 record includes six first-round exits and a recent second-round setback against Malek Jaziri on the red clay of Casablanca. On a surface that makes it tough for the veteran to implement his serve-and-volley style, this is a huge opportunity for Auger-Aliassime to take advantage of a struggling opponent and pick up his second ATP victory.
Pick: Auger-Aliassime in 2
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who ya got?
4K and MZ FTWs.
Hi there hope everybodys doing well, really looking forward to seeing what Rafa will do in the coming CC season, and where he is game is at, and if hes fully fit ….
I noticed you’ve been keeping a low profile during Rafa’s absence !
He played two rubbers in the Davis Cup QF against Germany. In his first match against Kolshrieber he was understandably rusty but in his second rubber against Sascha Zeverev he got into his stride and was clearly enjoying himself. He won both his matches in straight sets. Naturally there are still some concerns about his hip (which took longer than expected to heal) but how he does at Monte Carlo will tell us more about where he is at.
In the MU between Mischa Zverev vs. (WC) Felix Auger-Aliassime, I expect the over to win. There are chances for Mischa to be upset but not betting on it. Felix Auger-Aliassime can win a set also due to his better form on clay and being the far younger fellow with more energy and movement.
WYG?
In Khachanov vs. Kokkinakis, like Khachanov and Over to win.
Here’s hoping my new puppy (named after my all tome favourite player) will bring him luck in the coming clay season
IMG_0879-1.jpg
Help. Failed to insert the photo. Any suggestions what I’m doing wrong?
Hi ed. The problem is that you just posted the name of the image file on your computer but no one can access it.
You need to upload your photo and create a link with a site like this (among others).
tinypic.com
Or
imgbb.com
Could also be done with Dropbox, Facebook or twitter if you use any of those.
Hope this helps! Vamos Rafa!
Congrats on the new puppy! Hope you manage to make his photo accessible to us!! 🙂
Thanks Hawkeye
Am getting there VERY SLOWLY. Bit of a trial and error process so far.
Nice puppy! I always love dogs, puppies are especially sweet and cute but sometimes theyre mischievious too!
Voila
[IMG]http://i64.tinypic.com/2ed8236.jpg[/IMG]
that dog rules!
I give up 🙁 🙁
I’ve reached that age when you can’t teach an old dog new tricks but I hate to be defeated! Rafa is waiting for his evening walk so will try again tomorrow
PS: but I’m not into social media which makes my head spin.
Very cute puppy ed! Just had to clean up your link a bit…
http://i64.tinypic.com/2ed8236.jpg
ed,
Ohh! What a cute Rafa puppy!
Is that you holding him? Hopefully he will be good luck for Rafa in the clay season.
😀
NNNY
Yes that is me holding him but I cropped the shot so the wrinkles didn’t show. lol
Hawkeye
Thanks for sorting that problem. Not quite sure where I went wrong. Tant pis
Adorable, just like his namesake! 🙂
FAA in three and Khachanov in two
Thats true Ed1137 to some extent, but ive been busy in the real world, i would never bail on Rafa, and i didnt see Rafa play as the DC was televised where i am :-/
Cute puppy too by the way 😉
Nice puppy, Ed. And I’m with you on the no social media thing.
Btw, if that’s your birth-date I’m impressed!
?
born November 25, 1937 = old dog
can’t be too many octogenarians on this site
Why not?
(And “old dog”?)
Unfortunately “Rafa” is a bit too cute for his own good. There are no limits to the mischief he can get up to but it’s hard to get cross with him. Definitely a life enhancing dog and the exercise is good for me!
Hope he will be a lucky mascot in the coming few weeks.