Monte-Carlo R2 previews and predictions: Alcaraz vs. Cerundolo, Musetti vs. Lehecka

The remaining second-round matches in Monte-Carlo will be played on Wednesday afternoon, when Carlos Alcaraz kicks off his week against an in-form Francisco Cerundolo. Lorenzo Musetti faces Jiri Lehecka.

Francisco Cerundolo vs. (2) Carlos Alcaraz

With his biggest rival on the sidelines, it has been a slow last two months for Alcaraz. Since winning the Rotterdam title, the third-ranked Spaniard has lost in the Doha quarterfinals (Jiri Lehecka), the Indian Wells semifinals (Jack Draper), and the Miami second round (David Goffin). He will try to turn things around at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, where has made only one previous appearance and lost right away to Sebastian Korda in 2022.

Alcaraz is the obvious title favorite with Jannik Sinner not playing, but it would not be that big of a surprise if the four-time Grand Slam champion once again falls in round two. Cerundolo is 0-2 in the head-to-head series at the ATP level, but he won his only previous clay-court contest against Alcaraz via a 6-2, 6-4 decision on the Futures circuit in 2019. The 22nd-ranked Argentine has already won 16 matches this season, including a runner-up performance in Buenos Aires and back-to-back quarterfinal performances in Indian Wells and Miami. Cerundolo has reached at least the quarters in five consecutive tournaments. With Cerundolo on fire and a struggling Alcaraz unlikely to peak on clay until much closer to the French Open, an upset could be in the cards.

Alcaraz vs. Cerundolo head-to-head: Alcaraz 2-0

• 2024 Queen’s Club first round: Alcaraz 6-1, 7-5
• 2025 Indian Wells quarterfinals: Alcaraz 6-3, 7-6(4)

Pick: Cerundolo in 3

Jiri Lehecka vs. (13) Lorenzo Musetti

Musetti and Lehecka will be going head-to-head for the third time in their careers on Wednesday. Lehecka has won both of their previous encounters–6-3, 1-6, 7-5 on the indoor hard courts of Rotterdam in 2022 and 6-4, 6-4 at the 2023 Miami Open.

Although both guys are all-court players, a move to clay should favor Musetti. The 16th-ranked Italian won the bronze medal at the Paris Olympics, has twice reached round four at Roland Garros, is a Hamburg champion (2022), and more than half of his 228 professional match victories have come on the red stuff. Musetti came back from a set and a break down to beat Bu Yunchaokete on Monday, while Lehecka ousted Sebastian Korda 6-3, 7-6(7). That was the 28th-ranked Czech’s first win since Doha in mid February, so it’s hard to like his chances against Musetti.

Musetti vs. Lehecka head-to-head: Lehecka 2-0

• 2022 Rotterdam quarterfinals: Lehecka 6-3, 1-6, 7-5
• 2023 Miami second round: Lehecka 6-4, 6-4

Pick: Musetti in 2