Monte-Carlo 2023: Djokovic vs Musetti Tennis Prediction and Pick

TennisSection previews the 2023 Monte-Carlo Masters third-round match featuring Novak Djokovic vs Lorenzo Musetti on Thursday, April 13, 2023.

Djokovic vs Musetti Match Preview and Prediction

Top seed Novak Djokovic will play resurgent Italian Lorenzo Musetto for a spot in the quarterfinal of the Monte-Carlo Masters. Who will prevail?

Novak Djokovic stuttered, but victory was never in doubt in his first match at the 2023 Monte-Carlo Masters. He defeated Russian qualifier Ivan Gakhov 7-6, 6-2 and sets up an enticing third-round meeting against Lorenzo Musetti. Djokovic called it ugly tennis from his side, but that is the hallmark of a champion – winning despite not playing at your best. That is true of that opening set, which ebbed and flowed, with Djokovic missing the most routine shots and getting outdueled by the spirited Gakhov who earned a shock maiden ATP win on Monday. But the Serbian shifted through the gears and looked in total control after edging that first set breaker.

Lorenzo Musetti, meanwhile, blitzed past countryman Luca Nardi 6-0, 6-0 to reach the third round of the Monte-Carlo Masters for the second straight year. It marked just the second time this season that the Italian one-hander managed to string back-to-back wins, after outmuscling Miomir Kecmanovic 7-6, 6-0 in his opener. Will the Italian ride on this wave of momentum by upsetting World No. 1 Novak Djokovic?

Djokovic vs Musetti Prediction and Pick

Novak Djokovic leads Lorenzo Musetti 3-0 in their head-to-head, winning their most recent match at last year’s Paris Masters in straight sets. On clay, Djokovic leads 1-0, winning at the 2021 French Open from two sets to love down with Musetti retiring in the fifth set while trailing 0-4. It’s not been a good matchup for Musetti, but at the same time, Djokovic is perhaps more susceptible to losing in the first few tournaments during the clay swing given his relatively slow adaptability to the surface. Musetti appears to be on his way back to top form, but I don’t think we should be getting carried away just yet. Djokovic will still have it his way in this match.