TennisSection previews the 2022 Monte-Carlo Masters as Roberto Bautista Agut takes on Dan Evans in the first round on Monday, April 11th, 2022.
After a North America hard-court season to forget, Roberto Bautista will be keen to atone for a dreadful March. The Spaniard will face one of the surprise packages from last year’s Monte-Carlo Masters in Dan Evans right out of the gate. Who will prevail?
It is not often you see Roberto Bautista Agut humbled on a tennis court. Going down 6-2 6-0 to compatriot Carlos Alcaraz in Indian Wells shook his confidence, and the experienced Spaniard wasn’t at his usual free flowing best at the Miami Open. He suffered third-round exits at both ATP Masters 1000 events in North America, but still found room inside the ATP’s Top 20. The 33-year-old has been in great form for the most part of 2022 though, winning a 10th ATP Tour title in Doha as well as guiding his country to the final of the ATP Cup where they lost to Canada. Bautista Agut has not lost in a first round of the Monte-Carlo Masters since he made his main draw debut in 2013, so he will fancy his chances of progressing when he takes on Dan Evans.
Dan Evans is not the complete package on a clay court, but his court craft proved a major asset in his sensational run to the semifinals at the 2021 Monte-Carlo Masters. The week at the Principality last year saw Evans end his dismal record of 10 consecutive defeats on clay, dating back to 2017, and notched a career-best victory over World No. 1 Novak Djokovic. Can he emulate that run this week?
Roberto Bautista Agut and Dan Evans have not played each other on the ATP Tour. Monday’s match at the Monte-Carlo Masters will be their first official meeting. Bautista Agut is the superior player both in terms of ranking and court prowess. Evans proved last year, he is a man of all surfaces. His silky hands and vast array of shots can trouble any opponent on any court. But the British No. 2 has struggled for consistency in his game this season. And his latest defeat to Pablo Andujar in Marrakech was hardly inspiring. Bautista Agut should be winning this at a canter.
Free Tennis Pick and Prediction: Roberto Bautista Agut to win in straight sets.
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