Jannik Sinner will start his week on the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters on Wednesday with a second-round showdown towards Sebastian Korda. Karen Khachanov faces Francisco Cerundolo.
Listed below are my previews and picks for 2 of the most effective second-round matchups.Sebastian Korda vs. (2) Jannik SinnerSinner and Korda will probably be squaring off for the third time of their careers, with the head-to-head collection tied 101. Sinner received their first encounter in a pair of tiebreakers three years in the past in Washington, D.C., whereas Korda prevailed in straight units final season in Adelaide.
Sinner ended the 2023 marketing campaign on fireplace. The 22-year-old Italian is as much as No. 2 on the earth due to a 22-1 file this season and a 25-1 mark in his final 26 matches–and 35-2 in his final 37. Sinner has already received three titles this yr–the Australian Open, Rotterdam, and Miami. Korda has been strong however unspectacular in 2024, with an 11-8 file after beating Alejandro Davidovich Fokina on Tuesday. A steep step up in competitors will seemingly end result ultimately of Korda’s match.
Decide: Sinner in 2(15) Karen Khachanov vs. Francisco CerundoloKhachanov and Cerundolo will probably be going head-to-head for the fourth time. All three of their earlier conferences have gone Khachanov’s approach, together with a 6-1, 5-7, 7-6(5) determination a few weeks in the past on the Miami Masters.
Though clay could give Cerundolo a greater likelihood, Khachanov can be good on filth. The Seventeenth-ranked Russian was a French Open semifinalist final yr and his 2024 clay-court swing is off to a formidable begin, as he knocked off Cameron Norrie 7-5, 7-6(4) within the Monte-Carlo first spherical. Cerundolo defeated Daniel Altmaier 7-6(2), 6-3 in his opening match, however the Twenty second-ranked Argentine nonetheless has a shedding file in 2024 (8-10). This one ought to as soon as once more go Khachanov’s approach.
Decide: Khachanov in 3
Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and likewise maintains his personal tennis web site, The Grandstand. You possibly can observe him on Twitter at @Dimonator.
