Second round action concludes on Wednesday in Monte Carlo with 12 singles matches.
2020 US Open champion Dominic Thiem is fighting to rediscover his form, and faces a stern test on Wednesday in 2022 Bercy champ Holger Rune. In another high-profile contest, three-time Major champ Stan Wawrinka takes on 2022 Indian Wells champ Taylor Fritz.
Other second round action on Wednesday includes the ATP’s winningest player of 2023, Danill Medvedev, as well as a two-time Major runner-up in 2022, Casper Ruud.
Each day, this preview will analyze the most intriguing matchup, while highlighting other notable matches on the schedule. Wednesday’s play gets underway at 11:00am local time.
Dominic Thiem (WC) vs. Holger Rune (9) – Last on Court Rainier III
Thiem is just 4-10 on the year, as he’s struggled with his confidence during his comeback from a serious wrist injury. He also just recently parted ways with his long-time coach, Nicolas Massu. However, three of Dominic’s four wins this season have come within the past two weeks on clay, including an impressive straight-set victory over Richard Gasquet on Monday.
Rune is 14-7 this year, and ended last season by winning 19 of his last 21 matches. He went 14-10 last year on clay at tour level, with a title run in Munich and his maiden Major quarterfinal at Roland Garros. Holger’s six-month coaching agreement with Patrick Mouratoglou recently came to an end.
In their first career meeting, Rune must be favored. As accomplished as Thiem is on this surface, with 17 career ATP finals on clay, his recent form does not indicate he is ready to upset a top 10 player. However, I fully expect Dominic to accumulate a lot of wins as the clay court season progresses.
Other Notable Matches on Wednesday:
Botic van de Zandschulp vs. Casper Ruud (4) – Ruud won a title just a few days ago in Estoril, his first since July of last year. He’s 1-3 against van de Zandschulp, which includes a meeting just a few weeks ago in Miami.
Roberto Bautista Agut vs. Sascha Zverev (13) – Zverev is just 9-9 on the season since returning from injury, and survived a tight three-setter on Tuesday against Alexander Bublik. Bautista Agut is also 9-9 on the year, but is only 2-4 against Sascha, and has lost their last four encounters.
Diego Schwartzman vs. Jannik Sinner (7) – These two teamed up in the doubles draw this week, but lost their second round match on Tuesday. Sinner claimed their only previous meeting, two years ago in the final of Antwerp on a hard court.
Daniil Medvedev (3) vs. Lorenzo Sonego (WC) – Medvedev is a stellar 29-3 this season, but that all took place on hard courts. He only played five matches on clay last season due to hernia surgery. Sonego saved four match points on Tuesday to come back and defeat Ugo Humbert 7-5 in the third. Daniil beat Lorenzo earlier this year in Adelaide, though the Italian retired during the second set.
Taylor Fritz (8) vs. Stan Wawrinka (WC) – Wawrinka came from a set down to take out Tallon Griekspoor on Monday. Fritz is 20-6 this season, but went just 5-3 on clay last season. Stan leads their head-to-head 2-0, though they haven’t played since 2018, and have never met on clay.
Wednesday’s full Order of Play is here.
