Monte Carlo Masters Day Three Tips

Monte Carlo Masters Day Three Tips: Veteran Andujar likely to enjoy the slower conditions

With yesterday's schedule interrupted by rain, there's plenty of action on day three of the Monte Carlo Masters. Returning to discuss Tuesday's matches is our tennis columnist, Dan Weston...

Karatsev progresses to Tsitsipas clash

Only four matches were completed on Monday due to rain, with all winners proceeding without dropping a set. In what looked like the clash of the day in advance yesterday, Aslan Karatsev eased past Lorenzo Musetti to set up an intriguing second round clash with Stefanos Tsitsipas this afternoon - Karatsev's match again looks like the match of the day and his unseeded status means he's a dangerous floater in the draw.

The Russian's clay court record is very strong in the last year or two, albeit at a lower level. Despite limited main tour exposure on the surface, his lower level numbers translate very well to main tour success and in conjunction with his stunning performances away from clay, he's obviously an above-average player at main tour level right now.

This clearly represents a challenge to fourth seed Tsitsipas this afternoon. After opening at around 1.48 - and lower in the general market - the Greek man has drifted to 1.53 and this early market support on Karatsev looks justified. I have the duo slightly closer matched than the market does, but that also makes the price movement look very fair indeed.

Berrettini returning to tour after Australian Open withdrawal

Among the other matches taking place today the other second-round match comprises first-round winner Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and Matteo Berrettini, who as 8th seed earned a bye in the opening round.

The Italian hasn't been seen on court since he gave a walkover to Tsitsipas at the Australian Open in February, but in normal circumstances the 1.81 about Berrettini would look extremely generous. Davidovich Fokina is a decent young player for sure, but Berrettini's clay numbers are very strong and if he's in reasonable shape following those injury issues, I'd expect him to get the job done today.

Djere potentially value against Khachanov

Moving back to the first-round matches, I'm intrigued by a couple of clay-courters who look false underdogs for their respective clashes. Laslo Djere reached the final of Cagliari last week on his preferred clay and lost a tight three-setter to Lorenzo Sonego as a favourite. If the Serbian isn't overly fatigued, he does look reasonable value as a 2.30 underdog in these slow clay conditions against Karen Khachanov.

Karatsev progresses to Tsitsipas clash

Only four matches were completed on Monday due to rain, with all winners proceeding without dropping a set. In what looked like the clash of the day in advance yesterday, Aslan Karatsev eased past Lorenzo Musetti to set up an intriguing second round clash with Stefanos Tsitsipas this afternoon - Karatsev's match again looks like the match of the day and his unseeded status means he's a dangerous floater in the draw.

The Russian's clay court record is very strong in the last year or two, albeit at a lower level. Despite limited main tour exposure on the surface, his lower level numbers translate very well to main tour success and in conjunction with his stunning performances away from clay, he's obviously an above-average player at main tour level right now.

This clearly represents a challenge to fourth seed Tsitsipas this afternoon. After opening at around 1.48 - and lower in the general market - the Greek man has drifted to 1.53 and this early market support on Karatsev looks justified. I have the duo slightly closer matched than the market does, but that also makes the price movement look very fair indeed.

Berrettini returning to tour after Australian Open withdrawal

Among the other matches taking place today the other second-round match comprises first-round winner Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and Matteo Berrettini, who as 8th seed earned a bye in the opening round.

The Italian hasn't been seen on court since he gave a walkover to Tsitsipas at the Australian Open in February, but in normal circumstances the 1.81 about Berrettini would look extremely generous. Davidovich Fokina is a decent young player for sure, but Berrettini's clay numbers are very strong and if he's in reasonable shape following those injury issues, I'd expect him to get the job done today.

Djere potentially value against Khachanov

Moving back to the first-round matches, I'm intrigued by a couple of clay-courters who look false underdogs for their respective clashes. Laslo Djere reached the final of Cagliari last week on his preferred clay and lost a tight three-setter to Lorenzo Sonego as a favourite. If the Serbian isn't overly fatigued, he does look reasonable value as a 2.30 underdog in these slow clay conditions against Karen Khachanov.