Monte-Carlo R1 previews and picks: Cilic vs. Verdasco, Anderson vs. Monfils

An all-unseeded showdown between in-form opponents will pit Marin Cilic against Fernando Verdasco on Tuesday in Monte-Carlo. Kevin Anderson and Gael Monfils are also looking for a place in the second round.

Marin Cilic vs. Fernando Verdasco

Verdasco will be back in action two days after capturing the Houston title when he takes the court for first-round action at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters on Tuesday. Six of the 26th-ranked Spaniard’s eight match victories this season have come in his last three tournaments. He reached the Indian Wells fourth round and bounced back from an opening loss in Miami with scalps of Steve Johnson, Donald Young, Santiago Giraldo, and Nicolas Almagro en route to his Houston triumph.

A quick turnaround will not be easy and the draw did not do Verdasco any favors, either. He is set to face Cilic in what will be their ninth career meeting. The head-to-head series is tied up at four wins apiece and they have never squared off on clay. Traditionally a fast starter in the early stages of the season, Cilic is especially on fire in 2014. His 22-6 record includes titles in Zagreb and Delray Beach plus a runner-up showing in Rotterdam and a fourth-round performance in Indian Wells. Clay favors Verdasco, but Cilic is playing good enough tennis to capitalize on his opponent’s fatigue even on the slow stuff.

Pick: Cilic in 2

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(14) Kevin Anderson vs. Gael Monfils

Monfils is often a question mark heading into tournaments due to health–or lack thereof–and even his participation was in doubt for Monte-Carlo. The world No. 24 withdrew from last week’s clay-court event in Casablanca with an ankle injury. Monfils began this year in fine form (12-0 in his first 12 matches against players other than Rafael Nadal), but he lost his second match in Indian Wells and his opener in Miami.

This will be the third career meeting between Monfils and Anderson, with the Frenchman having won both of their previous encounters–7-5, 7-5 at the 2011 Stockholm event and 6-4, 2-6, 7-5 one year later in Bangkok. Anderson is also cooling off a bit after a great start to his 2014 campaign. The 19th-ranked South African reached the fourth round of the Australian Open, finals in Delray Beach and Acapulco, and the quarters in Indian Wells. However, he was routed by Richard Gasquet in Miami and dropped his Casablanca opener as the No. 1 seed 6-4, 6-4 to Victor Hanescu. On clay, Monfils–and his physical state–will dictate the outcome every time. At the moment, that probably is not a good thing.

Pick: Anderson in 3

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