RICKY’S TENNIS PICKS FOR THE MONTE-CARLO QUARTERFINALS: NADAL VS. FERRER, DIMITROV VS. MONFILS

Ricky’s picks for the Monte-Carlo quarterfinals: Nadal vs. Ferrer, Dimitrov vs. Monfils

 

By Ricky Dimon

 

Having to play Rafael Nadal as early as the quarterfinals in consecutive Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters events is bad luck for David. But it is a similarly difficult draw for Nadal. After all, it was Ferrer who got the best of last year’s quarterfinal showdown.

 

The two Spaniards will meet again on Friday as part of a intriguing lineup that also includes Grigor Dimitrov vs. Gael Monfils.

 

A look at the matchups:

(3) Rafael Nadal vs. (5) David Ferrer

 

In a matchup worthy of at least a semifinal, Nadal and Ferrer will be facing each other for the 29th time in their careers when they clash again in the quarters of the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters. Nadal is dominating the head-to-head series between the two Spaniards 22-6, including 18-2 on clay. The former world No. 1 once went on a streak of 17 consecutive clay-court wins against his compatriot before Ferrer finally prevailed 7-6(1), 6-4 last year at the same stage of this same event. Their most recent encounter came last spring at Roland Garros, where Nadal scored a 4-6, 6-4, 6-0, 6-1 quarterfinal victory on his way to another title.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not unlike the situation in 2014, Nadal is has looked vulnerable going into the clay-court swing. At the same time, he appears to be restoring order on the slow stuff after disappointing results in Indian Wells and Miami. The third seed hammered Lucas Pouille 6-2, 6-1 then survived an in-form John Isner 7-6(6), 4-6, 6-3 on Thursday. Ferrer has defeated Victor Estrella Burgos (6-2, 2-0, retired) and Gilles Simon (6-2, 6-7(3), 6-1). The 33-year-old is an incredible 24-3 for his 2015 campaign with titles in Doha, Rio de Janeiro, and Acapulco. Ferrer is not going to go away quietly, but this is not the same Nadal that was on display on hard courts. His win over Isner–although possibly not as tough as this quarterfinal will be–should not be underestimated.

 

Pick: Nadal in 3

 

(9) Grigor Dimitrov vs. (14) Gael Monfils

 

A quarterfinal rematch of last year’s title showdown between fellow Swiss Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka seemed to be in the cards. That was until Monfils and Dimitrov got in the way during third-round action on Thursday. Monfils upset Federer 6-4, 7-6(5) and Dimitrov ended Wawrinka’s title defense with a 6-1, 6-2 blowout. Thus the Frenchman and Bulgarian will square off for the fourth time in their careers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monfils leads the head-to-head series 2-1 and is 6-0 in completed sets against Dimitrov–all of those six coming at the U.S. Open. The world No. 18 prevailed 7-6(4), 6-3, 6-4 in 2011 and 7-5, 7-6(6), 7-5 last summer. Their other encounter came on the clay courts of Bucharest in 2014, when Dimitrov advanced via an opening-set retirement from Monfils. Clearly armed with a clean bill of health at the moment, Monfils preceded his win over Federer by taking out Andrey Kuznetsov and Alexandr Dolgopolov. Dimitrov, who has also gotten the best of Fernando Verdasco and Fabio Fognini, did not have to do much against a slumping Wawrinka. With a surface edge and basically home-court advantage, a confident Monfils should be able to get the job done.

 

Pick: Monfils in 3

 

Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand.

Topics: David Ferrer, Gael Monfils, GRIGOR DIMITROV, Monte-Carlo Tennis, Rafa Nadal, Ricky Dimon, Roger Federer, Tennis

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