The Monte Carlo Masters is a short event compared with the ones we just had in North America last month, and that means the big names are quickly in action this week.
There is a loaded schedule on Tuesday as the First Round matches are completed and the Second Round gets underway including the likes of Andy Murray and Roger Federer.
The Monday picks recovered from a poor start to go 2-1 to get the week off to a positive beginning, but the key is to build upon that in the coming days and get close to turning this season into a positive number by the end of the Monte Carlo Masters.
Pablo Cuevas - 4.5 games v Daniel Gimeno-Traver: Winning titles in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo should give Pablo Cuevas plenty of belief to take into the European clay court season. In the past he has had some difficulties in earning big results during this portion of the season, which is a surprise, but Cuevas might not have been in a better mindset than he is coming into this clay court season.
The First Round match against Daniel Gimeno-Traver is not going to be an easy one for Cuevas as the Spaniard is very comfortable on the clay courts. Gimeno-Traver has also won two Qualifiers for the loss of just six games combined in Monte Carlo this week which will only increase his belief he can earn the upset in this one.
It has not been the best season for Gimeno-Traver who has struggled when entering main draw events, but he is capable of producing some solid tennis at this part of the season as he did twelve months ago. However the serve is a little more than a rally starter for the most part and that is going to be an issue against Cuevas who has saved his best tennis for the clay courts.
This will likely be a match with a number of long rallies, but I do think Cuevas will be more effective in the overall scheme of things and I think he can come through 63, 64.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - 3.5 games v Pablo Carreno Busta: You would think the clay courts will give Pablo Carreno Busta a really good chance to improve his World Ranking in the coming months, and he has shown his capabilities by reaching the Final in Sao Paulo earlier this season. However it has been difficult for Carreno Busta to get the consistency needed to make a considerable impact at this stage of the season in recent years and this is a big test for him.
We might not see the Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of a few years ago, but the Frenchman is very capable of producing his best tennis on the clay courts. The Monte Carlo Masters has been a tournament where Tsonga has produced some solid results in the past and I think his power will give Carreno Busta something to think about.
Tsonga did take in the South American Golden Swing and failed to really get going which has to be a concern for one of the home hopes at Roland Garros. That was a strange schedule put together by Tsonga but this is more familiar to him and he should feel comfortable in the surroundings.
I am taking nothing away from Carreno Busta who is very happy on the clay courts, but I think he will give Tsonga enough chances to earn a break more in each set and come through with a 64, 64 win in this one.
MY PICKS: Pablo Cuevas - 4.5 Games @ 2.10 Paddy Power (2 Units)
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - 3.5 Games @ 2.00 Bet365 (2 Units)
Weekly Update: 2-1, + 1.48 Units (6 Units Staked, + 24.67% Yield)
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