The 2016 ATP Monte Carlo Rolex Masters is coming to signal the start of the clay court season. Many of the top tennis players in the world will be there to help sharpen up their skills for the next Grand Slam of the year, Roland Garros. But do they have what it takes to remain at the top with plenty of rabid contenders ready to have a go at them?
Read on as we take a look at the top sleepers who could make some noise in the upcoming Monte Carlo Masters. If you’re looking for more looks at the field of competitors, then check out our complete tournament preview.
Tennis News and Previews
ATP Monte Carlo Rolex Masters Sleeper Picks and Predictions
Tomas Berdych
Tomas Berdych is having some success this season, but can’t seem to get over the hump against some of the top players on tour. He has lost to Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and a streaking Milos Raonic recently. He’s also 0-2 against Nick Kyrgios in the year.
Don’t count out the Czech just yet. He had a very good clay court season in 2015. He reached the final of the Monte Carlo Masters last season, losing a tight finals match against Djokovic in three sets. He also reached the semifinals of the Madrid Masters, and then the quarterfinals at Rome. Berdych should be a solid pick to surprise opponents this year. He’ll be a live dog to make a deep tournament run.
David Ferrer
David Ferrer plays his best tennis on clay. He has won 72 percent of his matches on clay in his career and he doesn’t plan to slow down. He’s already dipped his toes onto the surface with a 4-2 match record this season. He lost at the semifinals of the Argentina Open and the quarterfinals of the Rio Open.
Ferrer had a pretty good outing at this tournament last year, making the last eight after dispatching Victor Estrella Burgos and Gilles Simon. But he met his match in Rafael Nadal, losing 4-6, 7-5, 2-6 in the quarterfinals. Expect Ferrer to make a deep run at Monte Carlo.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is a dangerous contender heading into the Monte Carlo Masters. He had a pretty rough outing in the Miami Open, exiting in the Round of 32 after a three-set defeat at the hands of Roberto Bautista Agut. But before that tournament, he came oh-so close to beating Novak Djokovic at Indian Wells.
Tsonga went toe-to-toe against the world No. 1, losing 6-7(2), 6-7(2). Had he won, he would’ve denied Djokovic’s record-setting March. He is one of the only three players to have Grand Slam wins against each of the Big Four (Djokovic, Federer, Nadal and Murray). The slower place on clay should help Tsonga deal with the more powerful players’ styles.
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