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Arthur Fils will kick off his Monte-Carlo marketing campaign in opposition to Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor, whereas fellow Frenchman Ugo Humbert takes on Aussie Alexei Popyrin. It’s the continuation of first-round competitors on Tuesday.
(12) Arthur Fils vs. Tallon Griekspoor
France’s Arthur Fils is knocking on the door of the highest 10, because the 20-year-old sits at a career-high of fifteenth on this planet. He involves European clay off a pair of quarterfinal outcomes on the Indian Wells and Miami Masters occasions, having downed world No. 2 Alexander Zverev a few weeks in the past. Fils has an excellent all-surface sport, with two clay-court titles and one hard-court crown on his resume to this point. He’s additionally highly regarded in France and can have vocal assist on the Monte-Carlo Nation Membership this week.
Tallon Griekspoor simply made a clay ultimate in Marrakech final week, but it surely was a little bit of depleted draw. He beat no person inside the highest 70 en path to the title match in opposition to world No. 57 Luciano Darderi. Along with doable fatigue for Griekspoor from taking part in a ultimate just some days in the past, Fils is in glorious type proper now and he can be taking part in with the group on his facet.
Search for a tidy win from Fils to advance to the second spherical.
Cheryl decide: Fils in 2
Ricky decide: Fils in 2
Alexei Popyrin vs. Ugo Humbert
Like Fils, Ugo Humbert can be taking part in in entrance of a “home” crowd–however not like the teen, the world No. 20 typically flies underneath the radar. Effectively, there’s additionally the truth that clay is Humbert’s worst floor by some margin. He has a depressing 14-30 ATP-level file on the dust and has by no means received a clay-court title. He does normally play effectively in entrance of an appreciative crowd, however the courts in Monte-Carlo are as classically clay as they get.
Alexei Popyrin has endured a horrible begin to the season. The Aussie has performed seven tournaments with simply two wins to point out for his efforts. He’s comfy on the clay moreso than his opponent, however whether or not a change in floor could make up for his dismal type stays to be seen. He has performed Humbert twice earlier than; they break up the wins at one every, however Popyrin received their solely clay-court encounter.
The gang ought to give Humbert the sting he must advance.
Cheryl decide: Humbert in 3
Ricky decide: Popyrin in 3