Monte-Carlo Masters 2022: Taylor Fritz vs Lucas Catarina preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick
Match Details
Fixture: (10) Taylor Fritz vs (WC) Lucas Catarina
Date: 12 April 2022
Tournament: Monte-Carlo Masters 2022
Round: First round (Round of 64)
Venue: Monte Carlo, Monaco
Category: ATP Masters 1000
Surface: Clay
Prize money: €5,802,475
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Amazon Prime Video | India - Voot
Taylor Fritz vs Lucas Catarina preview
Tenth seed Taylor Fritz will kick off his campaign at the Monte-Carlo Masters against local boy Lucas Catarina on Tuesday.
The American had a good start to the 2022 season, winning two out of three singles matches in the ATP Cup and reaching the fourth round of the Australian Open.
Following successive second-round exits in Dallas and Acapulco, Fritz made the semifinals at Indian Wells, where he beat Andrey Rublev, who was on a 13-match unbeaten run.
The American then ended Rafael Nadal's 20-match winning streak to win his first Masters 1000 title. With the victory, Fritz breached the ATP top 15 for the first time in his career.
The 24-year-old entered the Miami Masters as the 11th seed and reached the last 16 after beating Mikhail Kukushkin and Tommy Paul. However, he lost to Miomir Kecmanovic in three sets.
Fritz was the top seed at the U.S. Men's Clay Court Championships and reached the quarterfinals after defeating Alejandro Tabilo 6-1, 6-4. However, he fell to reigning champion Cristian Garin in the quarterfinals.
@mensclaycourt | Instagram
Defending champion Cristian Garin knocked out the second seed Taylor Fritz in 3 sets 6-2, 6-7, 6-3 in Houston 🔥
He will face 2013 champion John Isner for a place in the final 👏
📷 @mensclaycourt | Instagram
#CristianGarin #TaylorFritz #Houston #Tennis #JohnIsner https://t.co/fDmjFFtIyx
Lucas Catarina, meanwhile, will play his first match on the main circuit this year at the Monte-Carlo Masters. The 25-year-old has only featured on the ITF and Challenger circuits thus far this season.
Catarina's only triumph came at the ITF Tunisia F13 in March, which he won without dropping a set. He beat France's Terence Atmane in the final.
His most recent appearance was at the Sanremo Challenger, where he lost to Valentin Vacherot in the qualifying rounds.
Taylor Fritz vs Lucas Catarina head-to-head
Tuesday's match in Monte Carlo will be the first meeting between Fritz and Catarina, so the head-to-head currently stands at 0-0. The winner will take on either Jo-Wilfried Tsonga or Marin Cilic in the next round.
Taylor Fritz vs Lucas Catarina odds
Taylor Fritz, unsurprisingly, is heavily favored to win the match given his recent performances. The American has been in tremendous form this season, while Catarina will feature in his first ATP tournament since last year's Monte-Carlo Masters.
Taylor Fritz vs Lucas Catarina prediction
The encounter could be described as a David vs Goliath battle. Fritz has a Masters 1000 title to his name this season and has beaten several top players.
The American is one of the most efficient servers on tour. He also has a powerful forehand with which he looks to dictate matches. His all-round game has vastly improved over the past few seasons, making him a formidable opponent.
Catarina has had a fair amount of success on the ITF tour, winning six tournaments, including one this season. He also has the advantage of being familiar with the conditions at the Monte-Carlo Country Club and will certainly enjoy the support of the home crowd.
But that likely won't be enough for him to beat someone of Fritz's quality. The American should have no trouble progressing in Monte Carlo.
Pick: Taylor Fritz to win in straight sets.