Monte-Carlo 2023: Rune vs Berrettini Tennis Prediction and Pick

TennisSection previews the 2023 Monte-Carlo Masters third-round match featuring Holger Rune vs Matteo Berrettini on Thursday, April 13, 2023.

Rune vs Berrettini Match Preview and Prediction

Sixth seed Holger Rune faces big-serving Italian Matteo Berrettini for a spot in the quarterfinal of the Monte-Carlo Masters. Who will prevail?

Holger Rune extinguished Dominic Thiem’s mini resurgence with a strong performance in his first clay-court match of 2023 at the Monte-Carlo Masters. The young Dane advanced into the round of 16 for the first time at the Principality with a 6-2, 6-4 win. Rune won 80% of first-serve points, and 61% behind his second serve, saving the two break points he faced. He would break Thiem three times from nine chances, and overall very solid display.

Matteo Berrettini came through a rollercoaster against Francisco Cerundolo at the Monte-Carlo Masters, scraping past the Argentine 5-7, 7-6, 6-4 to cap off his 27th birthday with a win. Berrettini surrendered the first set from 5-0 up, but roared to win the second-set tiebreak and then took one of many break points he manufactured in the third set to complete the comeback. He’ll get another crack at Holger Rune after retiring hurt in their previous clash in Acapulco.

Rune vs Berrettini Prediction and Pick

Holger Rune and Matteo Berrettini are tied at 1-1 in their head-to-head. They last played in Acapulco where Berrettini retired due to a leg injury with the score at 6-0, 1-0 in Rune’s favor. Berrettini certainly cannot be counted out, especially with his booming serve averaging over 70% of points won on his first delivery in each of his two matches this week, and the Italians generally receive the majority of fan support at the Monte-Carlo Masters. But Rune is rightly the favorite in this match given the huge strides he’s taken on this surface in the past year – winning a title in Munich and reaching the quarterfinals at Roland Garros. He’ll have the sprint speed to run onto those Berrettini missiles and return them with interest.