Karen Khachanov vs Thiago Monteiro Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP Mutua Madrid Open

Prediction published on 27/04/2023, 05:54  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 27/04/2023 at 06:55 in Tennis Predictions

Tenth seeded Karen Khachanov faces unseeded Thiego Monteiro in the second round of the Madrid Masters. The winner of this match will face either 20th seeded Roberto Bautista Agut or unseeded Quentin Halys in the third round of this outdoor clay court event. Khachanov began this week ranked 12th in the world which is a rise of eight places in this calendar year. That's been because of his success down under with two quarter finals and then reaching the last four of the Australian Open. The Russian also got to the semi-finals in the Miami Masters so is doing well in the tournaments with the most ranking points on the line. He's up to 11th in the live rankings and ninth in the Live ATP Race. This is his third clay court tournament of the year having also played in Monte Carlo and Barcelona. He lost in the last 16 of both those tournaments but did get a win over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in Monte Carlo who was ranked 24th at the time. Khachanov has never won an ATP Tour clay court event but has reached the last eight at Roland Garros and two recent fourth round appearances.

Thiego Monteiro started this Madrid Masters at 97th in the rankings. The Brazilian was a career high 61st last October but has won only six of his 17 ATP Tour matches this year. He has played on the South American clay courts this year but got off to a slow start with two first round exits. He did improve though and got to the last eight in Santiago. This is his second tournament in the European clay court season but last week lost to Yannick Hanfmann in three sets after taking the first on a tie-break. This is his first time in the main draw in Madrid after previously losing twice in the qualifying rounds. The first round saw him have to go to three sets to get past qualifier Borna Gojo, losing the middle one. Back Khachanov to win this match with a side bet on him winning 2-0.