Monte-Carlo Masters 2022 final: Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick
Match Details
Fixture: (3) Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
Date: 17 April 2022
Tournament: Monte-Carlo Masters 2022
Round: Final
Venue: Monte-Carlo Country Club
Category: ATP Masters 1000
Surface: Outdoor clay
Match timing: Not before 2.30 pm local time, 12.30 pm GMT, 6 pm IST
Prize money: €5,802,475
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Amazon Prime Video | India - Voot
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina preview
Third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas will square off against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the final of the Monte-Carlo Masters on Sunday. The Greek is looking to become just the sixth man in the Open Era to defend his title in Monaco.
Tsitsipas made a decent start to the year, reaching the semifinals of the Australian Open and the final at Rotterdam.
He then made the quarterfinals in Marseille and the semifinals in Acapulco, where he lost to Cameron Norrie. He was eliminated by Jenson Brooksby in the third round at Indian Wells and by Carlos Alcaraz in the Round of 16 in Miami.
The 23-year-old entered the Monte-Carlo Masters as the third seed and thrashed Fabio Fognini 6-3, 6-0 in the first round. He then beat Laslo Djere 7-5, 7-6(1) to reach the quarterfinals. Tsitsipas battled past Diego Schwartzman 6-2, 6-7(3), 6-4 in a thrilling contest to reach the semifinals, where he dispatched Alexander Zverev in straight sets.
Tsitsipas rushes in the final!
Back-to-back Monte-Carlo final for Stefanos who dominates Alexander Zverev 6-4 6-2 in 1h15 https://t.co/vpSnarHld2
Davidovich Fokina, meanwhile, had a disappointing start to the season as he lost in the first round of the Sydney International. The Spaniard reached the second round of the Australian Open before losing a tense four-setter against Felix Auger-Aliassime.
The 22-year-old then suffered first-round exits at Marseille and Rotterdam before reaching the quarterfinals of the Qatar Open. After enduring another first-round defeat in Dubai, Davidovich Fokina was eliminated in the second round of the Indian Wells Masters. His poor run continued with opening-round exits at the Miami Masters and the Grand Prix Hassan.
The Spaniard started his campaign at the Monte-Carlo Masters by beating Marcos Giron in straight sets. This set up a second-round clash with World No. 1 Novak Djokovic, which he won in three sets. Davidovich Fokina then defeated David Goffin in straight sets to reach the quarterfinals.
The 22-year-old fought back from a set down to defeat Indian Wells champion Taylor Fritz and then put in a gritty display to get the better of Grigor Dimitrov and advance to his maiden Masters 1000 final.
The dream run continues for @alexdavidovich1! 🤩
Davidovich Fokina takes out Dimitrov 6-4, 6-7(2), 6-3 to advance to the final in Monte-Carlo!
@ROLEXMCMASTERS | #RolexMCMasters https://t.co/JcjoTm3kew
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina head-to-head
Sunday's final will be the third meeting between the two players, with Tsitsipas leading the head-to-head 2-0. Their first encounter came in the quarterfinals of last year's Monte-Carlo Masters, where Davidovich Fokina retired after losing the opening set.
The two also met at the Rotterdam Open earlier this season, with Tsitsipas winning 7-5, 6-7(1), 6-4.
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina odds
All odds are sourced from Oddschecker.
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina prediction
Tsitsipas will enter the final as the overwhelming favorite but Davidovich Fokina should not be written off considering the players he has beaten this week, including Novak Djokovic.
Tsitsipas served extremely well in his semi-final victory over Alexander Zverev. The Greek hit eight aces and won 75% of points behind his first serve.
The World No. 5 is a complete player on clay. He has a steady backhand and a heavy forehand with which he will look to dictate the match against the Spaniard.
Davidovich Fokina, meanwhile, looks to have rediscovered his best form. He will need to use his powerful groundstrokes to counter Tsitsipas' aggression and throw in a drop shot every now and then to disrupt the Greek's rhythm. He also has exceptional movement on clay and can get to an extra ball or two during the rallies.
Given Tsitsipas' prowess on clay and his form this season, he should be able to secure the win and become only the sixth man in the Open Era to win back-to-back titles at the Monte-Carlo Masters.
Pick: Stefanos Tsitsipas to win in three sets.