Kei Nishikori is unaccustomed to facing seeded opponents in the first rounds of tournaments, but that will be the case when he runs into Tomas Berdych on Monday in Monte-Carlo. Denis Shapovalov and Stefanos Tsitsipas are also in action.
Kei Nishikori vs. (12) Tomas Berdych
Berdych and Nishikori will be squaring off for the sixth time in their careers when they collide in round one of the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters on Monday. Nishikori is leading the head-to-head series 4-1, but Berdych won their only previous clay-court encounter 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 at this same Monte-Carlo tournament in 2012. The two veterans have not faced each other since 2015, when Nishikori prevailed 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 during round-robin competition at the World Tour Finals.
Relative inactivity on Nishikori’s part is a big reason for a lack of meetings between these two competitors. Most recently sidelined by a wrist injury, the 28-year-old from Japan has won only four ATP-level matches this season and registers at 39th in the rankings. Healthy but apparently past his prime at 32 years old, Berdych is toiling away at No. 18 in the world and he is coming off consecutive third-round exits in Indian Wells and Miami. The Czech, however, at least managed to make a quarterfinal run at the Australian Open. Based on current form, Berdych–who also has an easier time hitting through a slow clay court–should have the edge on Monday.
Pick: Berdych in 2
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Denis Shapovalov vs. (Q) Stefanos Tsitsipas
Shapovalov and Tsitsipas will be going head-to-head for the second time in their careers and for the second time in 2018. They previously met in round one of the Australian Open, where Shapovalov coasted 6-1, 6-3, 7-6(5). A rematch between these two up-and-coming stars should be more competitive, because Tsitsipas has since reached the Dubai quarterfinals and the Indian Wells third round (lost to Dominic Thiem in three sets). Five of the 19-year-old Greek’s nine career ATP-level match wins have already come this season.
One year younger but far more experienced than his opponent on this stage, Shapovalov owns 25 career victories on the main tour–including 11 in 2018. The 45th-ranked Canadian, a semifinalist at the 2017 Rogers Cup and a fourth-round performer at the U.S. Open, recently advanced to the last 16 in Miami. Tsitsipas will be aided by the fact that he already has two matches under his belt in Monte-Carlo (beat Florent Diep and Mirza Basic in qualifying), but Shapovalov is at a different level right now and clay should not be a bad surface for his game.
Pick: Shapovalov in 3
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who ya got?
Being Shapo’s first ever main draw appearance on clay at a masters, I’ll take 5S FTW who’s probably had more experience on clay.
First time I have seen 5S on clay, Hawk! You were right — he’s was very solid on clay. Of course I picked Shapo FTW. I think Shapo can get better on clay — just too many UE’s – and not the best serving day.
Nole’s win was wonderful to see. Except he’s still doing the boob toss. sheesh.
And I doubt he will beat Borna next round. Borna much stronger than Lajovic.
Herbert will win 😀
RC, how are you? Didn’t see you for a few days! Filed a missing person’s report already!lol
Ok, you said “Nole’s win was wonderful to see. Except he’s still doing the boob toss.”
What is a boob toss? I haven’t heard that term before!
Roger, I’m fine. Just busy with other stuff.
About Novak, I’m referring to his post-win celebration that he started doing about the time he took on the guru, er, I don’t remember exactly. Amazing that you haven’t seen it 😀
Anyway yeah other than that it was just nice to see him win a round of tennis. But Borna Coric will be a stronger test. I wouldn’t count on Nole to win such a match quite yet.
happy to know that you are fine.
You are right RC, Novak will face a strong test in Rd2 as The Joker has to not only handle Coric’s precise strikes but also handle his power that is when errors will arise out of Novak’s racket. But this Novak seems to be a bit determined to make a deep run in front of his home crowd, so will give a tough battle to Coric.
It’s hard to judge the scoreline today — I’m not ready to proclaim Novak is anywhere near to being “back” – Lajovic is too close of a Davis Cup mate and friend.
If he beats a relatively hot Borna Coric with a scoreline of 60 61, that would be impressive. More like it will go 3 sets and be a struggle is what I expect…I do like to think Nole can beat Borna in 3 but… have to see it first. Borna has had some good wins this season.
I like Berd in 2 and Shapo in 2…can’t wait for am tennis on tv!!!!
Scoot,
What? I like Berd in 2 and Shapo in 2…can’t wait for am tennis on tv!!!!
Were you referring to “Berd LOSING in 2 and Shapo LOSING in 2” instead???
Note, our old BIRD(Berd) has NO SHAP(O)!lol
Tsitsipas and Nishikori in three
Very curious to see how Shapo will handle clay.
Tsitsipas holds for 1-0
(Q) Stefanos Tsitsipas can upset Denis Shapovalov today! But not betting on that this second!
Tsitsit,sit,sit…sipas won’t be sitting on this No.71 ranking and will be moving up soon! He is a great talent who needs a better coach than his dad. Tsitsit,sit,sit…sipas needs to move out of the basement of his dad!lol
Like +1.5 sets Tsitsit,sit,sit…sipas and over to win.
Tsitsit,sit,sit…sipas can win this match also as he has the better form for the last 2 years. He has the momemtum having won 2 quali matches here.
Vamos Tsitsit,sit,sit…sipas let’s get into Top 50!Wooooohooooo!lol
Not final. Reserach ongoing!
+1.5 sets Tsitsit,sit,sit…sipas WIN$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
I was worried for this kid as he is going up against a talented TOP 50 player Denis Shapovalov who has beaten Tsitsit,sit,sit…sipas in all 3 of their past encounters.
Hope the over hits making today a very successful day.
Tsitsit,sit,sit…sipas WIN$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$!Wow
He vaquished his conqueror (who beat him 3:0 H2H) in 2 easy sets! Over loses. never expected Denis Shapovalov to make so many mistakes and lose in 2 sets. Shapovalov seems to have no shape (or form) currently!lol
Tsitsit,sit,sit…sipas in Rd2 take out David Goffin who is not in form currently!
5S takes down Shapo as predicted.
Congrats to Me!
(Commies to Ricky.)
Related: Herbert won.
#RememberHerbert
#DoYou?
I hope Herbert keeps winning,he replaced Krajinovic who I had going far😂
Well, I do love PHH tennis! But I picked before the qualifiers were in place. That’s my only excuse for picking Lorenzi. I don’t trust Dimitrov at all these days so I had Lorenzi winning a second round. Vaguely remember there’s strong Italian support in MC. I think PHH can beat Dimitrov – who appears to have his head on backwards recently.
Big Al. Your bracket looks great as always but we all just got GGL since PCB withdrew…
😧 bracket buster.
Thanks,but my bracket is looking more busted by the hour. Can’t complain though..
highlights Day 2 MC
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVieRm_YcbE
Stefanos and Berdych got the wins as I predicted. #clay
Nishikori* whoops lol (u can see I picked Kei above lol)
Credit to Kpuppy for picking Kei for two rounds. Only one in the bracket clever enough to do it! And with PCB out, and GGL in, I think Nishi goes deeper than any of us expected.
Nish did seem the better pick on clay,what put me off was the way he got thrashed in Miami.
Also Goffin,didn’t pick him to go far either.Or Djokovic.
But it’s sometimes a big mistake to judge on recent form.
Great first win for Novak we will see if hes back to his old self depending how deep he goes, waves to RC good to see you posting again 😉