Two stars at opposite ends of the career spectrum will begin their weeks in Monte-Carlo on Monday. Joao Fonseca, 19, gets things started against Gabriel Diallo; Stan Wawrinka, 41, faces Sebastian Baez.
Joao Fonseca vs. Gabriel Diallo
Fonseca and Diallo will be squaring off for the third time in their careers and for the first time on the main tour when they clash in round one of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters on Monday afternoon. They split their pair of 2024 encounters, both on outdoor hard courts. Diallo got the job done 7-6(1), 6-1 at the Chicago Challenger before Fonseca prevailed 6-2, 6-2 at the Lexington Challenger.
Two more years of experience and a move to clay should help Fonseca. The 19-year-old Brazilian went into 2026 with a back injury but is playing well now, competing impressively with Jannik Sinner in the Indian Wells fourth round and Carlos Alcaraz in the Miami second round. Meanwhile, Diallo is just 17-16 lifetime on clay. The 24-year-old Canadian’s big-hitting game works far better on hard courts and grass at this point in his career, so he will likely be overmatched by Fonseca in this situation.
Pick: Fonseca in 2
Sebastian Baez vs. (WC) Stan Wawrinka
Wawrinka, who is retiring at the end of this season, will begin his final appearance in Monte-Carlo on Monday. The 41-year-old Swiss is a former champion in the principality (2014) and has reached at least the quarterfinals on four other occasions. Wawrinka is still playing pretty well these days, as he heads into this week with six tour-level victories in 2026.
Up first for the world No. 98 is Baez, who won their only previous meeting 7-5, 6-4 just a few months ago at the United Cup. The 50th-ranked Argentine was absolutely on fire to begin the season, but he has cooled off in a big way since winning his first seven matches. He is just 8-8 since then and is coming off a bad loss to Titouan Droguet in the Bucharest second round. With the crowd surely behind him, Wawrinka has a great chance to pick up at least one more victory in his Monte-Carlo career.
Pick: Wawrinka in 3
WWW?
Stan in three ,Fonz in two
Baez not the same player here as he is at home, and Stan IS at home
I really enjoyed Stan’s Aussie matches earlier this year, United Cup, AO. Wonderful, win or lose. So much fight and creativity, and our crowd right behind him. If he’s feeling fresh and in the zone he can pick up a win here for sure.
Stan can win a Baez?? Baez is specialist in clay
Yeah, but only if he interested – location matters
Didn’t Baez play well, despite not being at home! I hope he gets a decent contest playing Alcaraz.
Yeah, you can see why he’s won so much.He reminds me of Diego Shortman