Novak Djokovic got off to a strong start at the Monte-Carlo Masters and he will continue his campaign on Thursday against Dan Evans. Also on the third-round schedule are Pablo Carreno Busta and Casper Ruud.
(1) Novak Djokovic vs. Dan Evans
Djokovic did not get the easiest draw at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters, but he navigated his opening match in impressive fashion. Facing a red-hot Jannik Sinner, the top-ranked Serb defeated the recent Miami runner-up 6-4, 6-2. Djokovic is now 10-0 this season, which includes a 2-0 record at the ATP Cup followed by his ninth Australian Open title.
Up next for the No. 1 seed during third-round action is Evans, whom he has never faced. Rarely does Evans win back-to-back matches on clay at any level, but that is the case this week following defeats of Dusan Lajovic and Miami champion Hubert Hurkacz. Still, the 33rd-ranked Brit’s game is not ideal for clay and he will have much more difficult day at the office against Djokovic.
Pick: Djokovic in 2 losing 5-7 games
Casper Ruud vs. (12) Pablo Carreno Busta
Carreno Busta and Ruud will be going head-to-head for third time in their careers when they meet again on Thursday. They split their two previous encounters; Carreno Busta prevailed 2-6, 7-5, 6-0 four years ago in Rio de Janeiro before Ruud got revenge with a 6-1, 3-6, 6-1 victory at the 2019 Kitzbuhel event.
Matches are mounting for Carreno Busta, who captured the Marbella title last week before beating Stefano Travaglia and Karen Khachanov in Monte-Carlo. At some point you have to think all that tennis will take its toll. Although both players are stellar on the slow stuff, Ruud is more of a clay-court specialist than Carreno Busta. The 27th-ranked Norwegian has lost only nine total games this week against Holger Vitus Nodskov Rune and Diego Schwartzman. This should be a good one, but Carreno Busta’s winning streak may come to an end.
Pick: Ruud in 3
WWW?
Djokovic 2-0
PCB 2-1
Djokovic 2-0
Nadal 2-0
PCB 2-1
Tsitsipas 2-0
Zverev 2-1
Pouille 2-1
Rublev 2-0
Krajinovic 2-1
Heh, hope you didn’t bet much on that list! Big day for upsets.
I’ll go Davidovich Fokina 2-1.
Rublev v RBA is very close also so i’ll go Rublev 2-1 in that also.
Was happy to see Pouille in the draw.
Solid picks.
Nole doing his best to give Evans the first set. Evans is not one to nap at a moment like this. Nole has never played Evans before (commentator says). Shirley, Nole will wake up. Evans is a legendary fighter in my book.
I like Evans and would not mind him winning. It would serve Nole right for not arriving alert in full combat mode.
Could it be that Djoker really does not like the chill, windy conditions? Maybe that’s some of the secret of his great success at AO compared to USO where he’s played well, but usually not amazing?
Welshwitch will approve of this outcome, I’m guessing. Evans v Goffin. She picked Goffin and well she must like Evans a little. Cheeky wins today.
How lovely to see you! Indeed, I love wee Dan, the giant killer, he’s like a scrappy little terrier, biting the ankles of mighty champions!
Did you guys notice that Zverev has never beaten Goffin in straight sets?
Nole’s defeat is a surprise, he seemed comfortable enough in the Sinner match.
Dimi was not himself in that match. A royal beatdown. Rafa could have used a bit more if a challenge if he has to play Rublev next.
Rublev is not stepping in and getting the jump on RBA. RBA is the one dictating from inside the baseline. Ruby will never win like playing that way.
Dimi looked and played like he was ill or injured. It was a terrible match from my perspective. A very nice match I guess for Rafa fans except it did not give Rafa a challenge.
Rublev was not allowing RBA to dictate the last couple of games I watched. He managed to stay aggressive. But he does revert back to being defensive behind the lines too much when he has a bad streak or is caught off-guard by opponents like RBA. Yeah, looks like the momentum is going to shift as they fight for position.
Rublev has too much respect for RBA. He is playing his tentative game. Of course, I am a Rublev fan so I see it that way. Rublev needs more first serves. I am frustrated that this first set is in a dang TB.
What a close match Ruud v PCB , another won from MP down
I like Rublev and Sinner, similar games, cant decide who I prefer