The stage is set for an entertaining second day at the ATP Monte Carlo Masters with 12 matches on the slate in the picturesque surroundings of Monaca. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate, including Francisco Cerundolo vs Stefanos Tsitsipas and Joao Fonseca vs Gabriel Diallo. But who will book their spot in the second round?

ATP Monte Carlo Day 2 Predictions
Andrey Rublev vs Nuno Borges

Head-to-head: Rublev 3-0 Borges

Andrey Rublev has had the better of this rivalry, winning all three of their previous matches without losing a set. That includes earlier this year in Hong Kong. Nuno Borges might well be more competitive on his preferred clay and has been playing some solid tennis this season, but this still looks like a tall order for the Portuguese.

Rublev is that much better equipped off the ground than Borges and the Russian also has a good record at the ATP Monte Carlo Masters, winning the title in 2023 and reaching the final in 2021. This should be another comfortable day at the office for the 13th seed in a match-up he clearly enjoys.

Prediction: Rublev in 2

Zizou Bergs vs Adrian Mannarino

Head-to-head: Mannarino 1-0 Bergs

Adrian Mannarino won this pair’s only previous clash 18 months ago in Bercy, coming back from a set down to win 3-6 6-2 6-4 in the round of 32. But Zizou Bergs has improved in the intervening period and is probably the narrow favourite coming into this match in conditions that should suit his powerful baseline style.

That’s not to say that he’ll have it all his own way, with the veteran Frenchman still expert at disrupting his opponent’s rhythm and still (marginally) the higher ranked man despite his 38th birthday now being just months away. But if Bergs can play at his best, and take some inspiration from his doubles partner Jannik Sinner, the Belgian should have just about enough to advance.

Prediction: Bergs in 3

Cristian Garin vs Matteo Arnaldi

Head-to-head: Arnaldi 1-0 Garin

This has the makings of an entertaining clay-court clash despite neither man being in particularly good form. Indeed, Cristian Garin – who was once knocking on the door of the top 15 – has endured a miserable stretch and finds himself on the cusp of dropping outside the top 100 once again. But he did get two wins under his belt in the qualifying, beating Jesper de Jong and Nikoloz Basilashvili to reach the main draw.

Matteo Arnaldi’s own qualifying campaign did not go so smoothly, with the Italian narrowly losing to Alexandre Muller in the second and final round, before being granted a reprieve as a lucky loser. He is a good enough player to take advantage of his good fortune, but if Garin can maintain the momentum he generated in the qualifying, the experienced Chilean should have the edge. Still, don’t be surprised if this one goes the distance.

Prediction: Garin in 3

Flavio Cobolli vs Francisco Comesana

Head-to-head: first meeting

Flavio Cobolli will no doubt be determined to make an impact over the coming weeks on his preferred clay, but the 10th seed this week starts his ATP Monte Carlo Masters with a challenging assignment. Francisco Comesana may not be a regular fixture at the elite level, but the Argentine – like so many of his countrymen – is a very able clay-courter and looked sharp in coming through the qualifying.

Cobolli, meanwhile, had a disappointing Sunshine Double, winning just one match in Indian Wells, but did win the title in Acapulco immediately before heading to the USA. If he can rediscover that level, he should have the beating of Comesana here. But he might have to work for his victory.

Prediction: Cobolli in 3

Main photo credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports