The ATP’s Monte Carlo Masters 1000 tournament will feature exclusive second round matches after mixing first and second round competitions on Tuesday, which means our tennis picks will focus on that. We saw some interesting results in the Monte Carlo Masters yesterday, but nothing that was too far out of the ordinary. Roger Federer easily advanced past his first-round matchup, beating Guillermo Garcia in straight sets. We also saw Jo-Wilfried Tsonga advance in straight sets as well as Philipp Kohlschreiber and Gilles Simon. One of the interesting developments from the first round was the fact that Andy Murray labored a little bit. He ended up winning the match but needed three sets to dispose of Pierre-Hugues Herbert.
A lot of the bigger names are in action on Wednesday, but they are playing matches they should easily win. These three matches are more interesting:
Richard Gasquet vs. Lucas Pouille
There is always the chance that Richard Gasquet, a player who has never quite lived up to all of his talents – and to the majesty of that single-handed backhand – will implode. Gasquet is the kind of player (like a lot of other Frenchmen) who hits pretty shots and can look so fully in control of his game when everything is going right. The issue for Gasquet and a lot of other players on tour is that he doesn’t fare well when things are going wrong. The long, close, tough match in which two players have to battle for every last point and every little advantage is the kind of match Gasquet has historically not won. At least, he hasn’t won it often enough to make a lot of semifinals and finals at Masters 1000 tournaments or Grand Slam events. Gasquet has not met the ceiling of his career, or if he has, the ceiling is a lot lower than his abilities promised many years ago, when he was just starting out.
However, is this match one in which Gasquet is likely to fall? Probably not. Lucas Pouille has won a few matches of significance against well-known players, but he has not yet made the leap to the upper reaches of the ATP Tour. Gasquet should feel comfortable playing a lower-ranked countryman. It’s just not a threatening kind of match for Gasquet, and since he crushed Nico Almagro, 6-4 and 6-0, in his previous Monte Carlo match, he appears to be in fine form. This is not the spot to pick an upset, so go with Gasquet for your tennis picks.
Pick: Gasquet in straight sets
Gael Monfils vs. Paolo Lorenzi
This matchup is the product of Lorenzi’s upset of Fabio Fognini on Tuesday. Lorenzi very nearly double-bageled Fognini after losing the first set, 6-2. He won 12 of the last 13 games to win the match. Many people will say that Monfils is just another Fognini, a colorful and talented player who can’t be serious on court. However, Monfils has begun to show a much more serious side. A new coaching change seems to be working for him. He is finally playing the kind of tennis many people feel he had the ability to play all along. He made the Miami quarterfinals and was one point away from advancing to the semifinals. He did well at Monte Carlo last year, knocking off Roger Federer. This sets up well for him in every way. He should win easily, so take him with your tennis picks.
Pick: Monfils in straight sets
Fernando Verdasco vs. David Goffin
This is a matchup in which Verdasco just powered through Federico Delbonis. When you realize that Delbonis just won Marrakech, Verdasco’s win is impressive. However, Delbonis was also tired. That’s the other way to read Verdasco’s victory. Goffin is fresher than Delbonis and has been one of the most consistent players on tour this year. Goffin is the better choice in what will be a close match. Take Goffin with your tennis picks in this spot.
Pick: Goffin in three sets
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