Each day before play at the Monte-Carlo Masters, we’ll preview and predict three must-see matches.
Lucas Pouille [11] vs. Ryan Harrison
With the U.S. Davis Cup team running on fumes in Houston, Harrison is the only American in the Monte Carlo draw. He’s never faced Pouille, but the surface (clay), their rankings (Pouille is 17th; Harrison is 50th) and their games (Pouille has more firepower) point to a win by the Frenchman in the day’s opening match on the stadium court.
Winner: Pouille
Benoit Paire vs. Tommy Haas [PR]
There may be testiness. Paire has been on a racquet-throwing, ball-smashing roll of late, and while the 39-year-old Haas has mellowed, he’s still competitive enough to get irritated when he doesn’t live up to his former standards. These two were supposed to meet at the Australian Open, but Haas was forced to retire. Let’s hope we see a (probable) last glimpse of his stylish game in the capital of tennis style on Tuesday.
Winner: Paire
Novak Djokovic [2] vs. Gilles Simon