Stefanos Tsitsipas battles rival Daniil Medvedev in a tasty third-round clash at the Monte-Carlo Masters on Thursday. World No. 1 Novak Djokovic survived a scare in his opening match and now takes on unseeded American Taylor Fritz.
(6) Stefanos Tsitsipas vs. (10) Daniil Medvedev
Thanks to a contentious first meeting in Miami last year, with mutual hostility on both sides of the net, each match that features Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas is just a tad more interesting. They would be anyway, given the quality of play off both rackets and the contrasting style–and the fact that each of their three matches were relatively close. The animosity just sweetens the pot. The one downside is that the match results have been completely lopsided, as Medvedev won all three of their 2018 contests.
Tsitsipas might have a better chance on Thursday than he has had previously, as each of their previous encounters came on hard courts. Medvedev won precisely one match on dirt last year–that coming in the first round of Monte-Carlo. By contrast, Tsitsipas was ranked low enough that he had to qualify for a couple of the Masters events and still managed to make his way to the final in Barcelona.
It should be a match that features plenty of variety from the Tsitsipas side of the net, and determination from Medvedev’s. Expect plenty of entertainment, with Tsitsipas just barely pulling out his first victory over his rival.
Cheryl pick: Tsitsipas in 3
Ricky pick: Medvedev in 3
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(1) Novak Djokovic vs. Taylor Fritz
American youngster Taylor Fritz will get his first crack at world No. 1 Novak Djokovic on Thursday. Djokovic, who dominated the field at the Australian Open, has been a bit off since his big win Down Under. The Serb was sent packing by Philipp Kohlschreiber in Indian Wells, and then by Robert Bautista Agut in Miami. Djokovic is an excellent clay-court player, yet he still struggled a bit in his opener this week against Kohlschreiber.
Fritz isn’t exactly a clay-court expert. Last year he made the semis in Houston, but every one of his opponents was American. This season he lost in the first round to Marcel Granollers. For him to have won his first two matches over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Diego Schwartzman is actually a bit of a coup.
This should not be an overly challenging match for Djokovic. Unless the top seed is mentally elsewhere, expect him to bully Fritz around the court with his heavy groundstrokes.
Cheryl pick: Djokovic in 2
Ricky pick: Djokovic in 2
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WYG?
Tsitsipas is looking a bit overrated at the moment
only when he plays Medwed
Agree, Ricky! Medwed is in his head. Stefanos has to get over it.
Not only Medvedev, he also has losing records against FAA – 0-3; and Shapo 1-2. It’s not a good sign for him, as they’re his fellow next gen players and will be his peers for a long time to come.
Well, FAA is on a high. Sascha did beat him. But turned around and lost to Fogna.
They’ve all got talent and potential and it’s exciting – I do hope Stefano can keep up with the best of them.
Khachanov is also looking overrated and Sascha of course and ouch, Thiem.
Brilliance is coming from surprises like Sonego and Lajovic.
Tsitsipas is good only in 250 and 500 events; maybe at the slams too? His results at the Masters, save for that Canada Masters last year, have been poor; hardly get past the QF.
Well Stefanos sort of won my heart and enthusiasm. I hope this is a temporary dip.