TennisSection previews the 2021 Monte-Carlo Masters as Novak Djokovic (1) meets Dan Evans in the Round of 16 on Thursday April 15th, 2021.
Can Great Britain’s Dan Evans continue his good form here at the 2021 Monte-Carlo Masters with an upset here? Or will heavy favorite and top seed Novak Djokovic of Serbia cruise into the Quarter-Finals as expected? Both players were outstanding in their respective straight-sets wins in the Second Round, but only one can advance here. Who will it be?
Novak Djokovic is the number one seed here at the 2021 Monte-Carlo Masters and is a former two-time champion here. While he is better known for his hard court success, he is an underrated clay court player and is actually one of the most successful players on this surface of all time. The holder of a Roland Garros Title and numerous other clay titles, he is considered the second favorite to win the trophy here, after Rafael Nadal. After not playing a match on the surface since the 2020 French Open, some rust was expected, and his match against Jannik Sinner was supposed to be a very close affair. Djokovic dispelled that notion with a straight sets demolition of his opponent, winning 6-4, 6-2 in routine fashion. That performance will have struck fear into his next opponent Dan Evans and he enters this match as the huge favorite.
Dan Evans is currently ranked #33 in the ATP world rankings and has struggled on clay courts for the past few years, not winning a main draw match since 2017 until this week. However, he has been surprisingly good so far here at the 2021 Monte-Carlo Masters, defeating Dusan Lajovic and Miami Open champion Hubert Hurkacz to reach the Round of 16. He was outstanding in the match against Hurkacz, creating numerous break opportunities and taking advantage of his opponent’s struggles. Despite this outstanding performance, he enters this match as the huge underdog and will have to be much better here to even make this match competitive. Novak Djokovic will be a very tough opponent, especially in the form that he is in and is heavily favored to advance here.
Surprisingly, this will be the first time that the two veterans have faced each other on the ATP Tour and their head to head record stands at 0-0. While Evans has been in great form here so far at the 2021 Monte-Carlo Masters, his run will end here. Novak Djokovic is simply a much better player overall, and especially on this surface. I expect him to dominate this match from start to finish, and cruise into the Quarter-Finals here in Monaco with no issues at all. Novak Djokovic to win in straight sets, and he is on a collision course with Rafael Nadal for the Final.
Free Tennis Pick and Prediction: Novak Djokovic to win in straight sets.
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