Monte-Carlo R3 previews and predictions: Medvedev vs. Zverev, Rublev vs. Khachanov

Danill Medvedev continues his Monte-Carlo campaign against familiar foe Alexander Zverev on Thursday. Andrey Rublev and Karen Khachanov will also be in third-round action, as they are set for an all-Russian showdown.

(3) Daniil Medvedev vs. (13) Alexander Zverev

This will be the 14th installment of the Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev matchup and Medvedev holds the slightest 7-6 edge. The two men met for the first time all the way back in 2016 in St. Petersburg. Zverev, who broke through more quickly than Medvedev did, dominated their early encounters. The German won five of their first six, but since then it has been Medvedev who has been dominant.

Zverev and Medvedev just met a couple weeks ago in the round of 16 in Indian Wells. The Russian won that encounter in a barn burner of a match. Medvedev staved off 15 of the 17 break points against him, capturing a hard fought 6-7(5), 7-6(5), 7-5 win. Expect another thriller in Monte-Carlo. While Zverev was less than impressive in his first-round win over Alexander Bublik this week, he has a solid clay-court game.

For his part, Medvedev has rarely been at his fighting best on clay. The unpredictable nature of the natural surface compromises the Russian’s timing. While Zverev is not yet as potent as he was at last year’s French Open (where he made the semifinals before sustaining a season-ending ankle injury), he is working his way back to form.

This could be the match of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters so far. Medvedev is the hottest player on tour, winning four of his last five events. Conversely, Zverev knows his opponent’s game well and he is a better clay-court player.

Cheryl pick: Medvedev in 3

Ricky pick: Zverev in 3

(5) Andrey Rublev vs. (9) Karen Khachanov

It will be an all-Russian encounter in this third-round match. World No. 6 Andrey Rublev has had a bit of a disappointing start to the season. He has won no titles yet, although he did make his way to the final in Dubai–where he suffered a 6-2, 6-2 drubbing at the hands of Medvedev. Rublev got an opening bye this week and then defeated Jaume Munar in three sets to earn his spot in the third round.

Karen Khachanov has postedte some wild results in the past year. He made the semifinals at both the U.S. Open and the Australian Open, but he had no titles last year and has none in 2023 so far. He crashed out of Indian Wells in the third round but made the semis in Miami a couple weeks ago. Khachanov defeated Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and Ilya Ivashka to earn his spot in the Monte-Carlo third round.

Rublev has traditionally been more successful on clay than Khachanov, but as the lower-ranked Russian just made the semis in Miami, he is in better form. Rublev won their most recent meeting last year on the grass courts of Halle. This should be another match that goes the distance. Expect Rublev to just edge out his countryman.

Cheryl pick: Rublev in 3

Ricky pick: Rublev in 2