ATP Monte Carlo Day 3 Predictions Including Alcaraz vs Baez
It guarantees to be an entertaining third day of clay-court tennis on the ATP Monte Carlo Masters as World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz begins his title protection in opposition to Argentina’s clay-court specialist. Who will advance to the following spherical?
ATP Monte Carlo Day 3 Predictions
Roberto Bautista Agut vs Matteo Berrettini
Head-to-head: Berrettini 4-1 Bautista Agut
Despite a straight-sets loss to Alexander Shevchenko in qualifying, Bautista Agut has earned a spot in the primary draw as a fortunate loser. He has by no means failed to succeed in the second spherical in Monte Carlo in all 11 earlier appearances. But that document is now in jeopardy. Although some fundamentals of his sport stay intact, he’s properly previous his peak. Berrettini has the larger weapons and hits the ball extra cleanly. He’s obtained the upper ceiling proper now and if the Italian shortens the factors, he ought to be on his solution to the second spherical.
Prediction: Berrettini in 2
Hubert Hurkacz vs Luciano Darderi
Head-to-head: first assembly
Darderi has put collectively some good outcomes on clay in current seasons and is at present 8-3 on the floor in 2026. But he is coming off a stunning semi-final defeat to Marco Trungelliti in Marrakech. That end result ensures he’ll keep out of the highest 20 at the very least for every week. He can change that, however he faces an uphill process. An opening match in opposition to Hubert Hurkacz might be one of many hardest assignments, whatever the Pole’s bodily struggles. But Hurkacz appears out of shape proper as losses have piled up because the (*3*).
Prediction: Darderi in 3
Corentin Moutet vs Alexandre Muller
Head-to-head: Mouter 3-2 Muller
This is a really fascinating rivalry. Moutet and Muller first met within the last of an ITF event in 2017. Mouter received that one, and the 26-year-old lefty got here out on prime once they final performed in Washington final yr in a one-sided 6-0 6-1 victory. Muller’s retirement within the quarterfinal in Marrakech sparked some controversy. He traveled to Monte Carlo in underneath 24 hours to compete in qualifying and was profitable in his bid to succeed in the primary draw. That mentioned, this can be a matchup Moutet ought to thrive in. His selection can drag opponents out of rhythm.
Prediction: Moutet in 2
Carlos Alcaraz vs Sebastian Baez
Head-to-head: Alcaraz 3-0 Baez
Alcaraz enters the 2026 Monte Carlo Masters understanding that the No. 1 ranking could change hands after the event. The Spaniard sits simply 200 factors forward of shut rival Jannik Sinner within the stay rankings as he begins his title protection. He arrives on the Principality stuffed with power, having final performed on the Miami Open in March. Sebastian Baez is a large risk on this floor, however he has a poor monitor document at this occasion. Not even a confidence-boosting win over Stan Wawrinka within the opening spherical (first-ever win in Monte Carlo) will change his fortunes on this encounter in opposition to Alcaraz, who could be very a lot the person to beat on clay.
Prediction: Alcaraz in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-Imagn Images
