Munich 2023: Monteiro vs Hanfmann Tennis Prediction and Pick

TennisSection previews the 2023 Munich Open first-round match featuring Thiago Monteiro vs Yannick Hanfmann on Monday, April 17, 2023.

Monteiro vs Hanfmann Match Preview and Prediction

Thiago Monteiro will look to even the scores against Yannick Hanfmann at the Munich Open. But the German wild card is in better form and naturally starts as the favorite. Who will prevail?

Thiago Monteiro was one of the most consistent performers on the clay on the ATP Challenger Tour last season. He won over 20 matches on the surface and collected two titles. Monteiro has focussed on the Tour-level events this season, although his Golden Swing was not at all decent, going 3-4, and only making the last eight in one tournament. He’ll look to improve on that stat on the European clay but faces a tough opener at the Munich Open against home wild card Yannick Hanfmann.

Yannick Hanfmann, for his part, has been playing clay-court tennis since February. Hanfmann is a solid Challenger Tour journeyman, but he has recorded strong results on the ATP Tour this year and looks increasingly likely to break the top 100 again on the European clay. He arrives at the Munich Open on the back of a semifinal run in Houston that includes a stunning straight-sets win over Tommy Paul.

Monteiro vs Hanfmann Prediction and Pick

Yannick Hanfmann leads Thiago Monteiro 2-1 in their head-to-head. All three meetings were contested on clay. Hanfmann is in better form than Monteiro. And while the Brazilian lefty is a clay-court threat, he’s never found his rhythm at the Munich Open in years gone by. Hanfmann is coming off a semifinal run in Houston where conditions are almost similar to Munich, with the ball skidding off the court very fast. Expect Hanfmann to hold a tiny edge.