Monte-Carlo 2023: Fritz vs Lehecka Tennis Prediction and Pick

TennisSection previews the 2023 Monte-Carlo Masters third-round match featuring Taylor Fritz vs Jiri Lehecka on Thursday, April 13, 2023.

Fritz vs Lehecka Match Preview and Prediction

After taking down a former champion, Taylor Fritz will attempt to defeat Jiri Lehecka for the second time this year. Who will prevail and reach the quarterfinal of the Monte-Carlo Masters?

Taylor Fritz withstood a barrage and rode his luck a few times to escape with a 7-6, 6-2 win over 2014 champion Stan Wawrinka. In the first set, Fritz saved five set points, before prevailing in the breaker 12-10. And after taking an early break in the second set, Fritz saved three break points in a crucial seventh game of the second set before completing the straight sets win. The American will look to emulate his run to the quarterfinal of the Monte-Carlo Masters from last year when he plays Czech Next Gen star Jiri Lehecka.

Jiri Lehecka, meanwhile, upset Monaco resident Grigor Dimitrov 7-6, 6-4, backing up his win over Emil Ruusuvuori at the Monte-Carlo Masters. It was a statement win for the young Czech who regards clay as his most preferred playing surface. Lehecka foiled Dimitrov’s attempt to serve for the opening set at 5-3, and then went on to pinch the tiebreak. And a break to love deep in the second set allowed him to serve for a straight sets win. He’ll look to avenge his loss to Taylor Fritz earlier this year.

Fritz vs Lehecka Prediction and Pick

Taylor Fritz leads Jiri Lehecka 1-0 in their head-to-head, winning their hard-court meeting at this year’s United Cup in straight sets. On clay, the pendulum should swing slightly in Lehecka’s favor. The young Czech has played very well, controlling his shots, and biding his time on the return. He had to be patient against Dimitrov, not panic, and was just too solid from the baseline. Fritz got a huge win over Wawrinka, but it was fine margins really, with Stan wasting five set points in the first set and then spurning three break points to get back on serve in the second. The cracks in Fritz’s game are there for Lehecka to exploit. The American is not at his devastating best on clay, and Lehecka is at tempting odds for the upset.