Monte-Carlo R1 previews and predictions: Sinner vs. Coric, Wawrinka vs. Bublik

The Monte-Carlo Masters kicks off the start of the European clay-court swing. Jannik Sinner will be in first-round action on Monday against Borna Coric, while Stan Wawrinka returns to the ATP Tour against Alexander Bublik.

(9) Jannik Sinner vs (PR) Borna Coric

Jannik Sinner will be hoping for a better conclusion here than the Italian had in Miami just over a week ago. The world No. 12 weathered the standard match histrionics of Nick Kyrgios along the way to a quarterfinal berth. But playing in the heat and humidity of Miami exacted a toll in the form of foot blisters that saw him retire against Francisco Cerundolo at 4-1 down in the first set.

With the blisters presumably healed, Sinner will face Borna Coric — the one-time world No. 12 still making his way back from a year-long battle with a shoulder injury. The Croat’s first tournament back was Indian Wells in the beginning of March. He also played in Miami, where he got a win over tour veteran Fernando Verdasco before going out to Alexander Zverev in the second round.

Since Coric is still trying to shake off the rust of a year-long layoff, and with Sinner playing great tennis in 2022 so far this one should be a fairly straightforward affair for the favorite.

Cheryl pick: Sinner in 2

Ricky pick: Sinner in 2

(WC) Stan Wawrinka vs. Alexander Bublik

Speaking of injuries, Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka has also been on the sidelines for a year. He had a pair of foot surgeries and just came back to the game two weeks ago at the Andalucia Challenger event. The news was not good for the Swiss, who lost in the first round to Sweden’s Elias Ymer. He is into the Monte-Carlo Masters main draw thanks to a wild card.

Alexander Bublik has enjoyed a positive start to the season. The world No. 37 captured a title in Montpelier earlier in 2022 and he posted one match win at both Indian Wells and Miami in March. He and Wawrinka have never played an ATP-level match.

With Wawrinka still looking to shake off the rust of his long recovery and his disappointing result last week, this one should be a routine win for Bublik.

Cheryl pick: Bublik in 2

Ricky pick: Bublik in 2