3 Tennis Superstars That Can Win the Monte Carlo Masters

When Richard Gasquet was slicing his way to a first set victory in his quarter-final game against Zverev, it was assumed that the French tennis star would breeze through. But Zverev, seeded No. 3 in this tournament, had other ideas.

It was the fourth quarter-final game. Just before that game, Kei Nishikori, who struggled with his wrist, had battled his way past Marin Cilic into the semis. Nadal and Dimitrov also made their way into the semi-finals of the Monte Carlo Masters.

It may not be a Grand Slam but this competition is one that sort of ushers in the clay season. And with the clay season in tennis comes the French Open, one of the four major tournaments in a calendar year in the sport.

So players take it seriously (okay, maybe not so seriously) enough to want to win it and use it as huge boost towards the big fish, the French Open. With the tourney at the semi-final stages, here are some of the superstars we think can win the competition.

1. Rafael Nadal

It is sacrilege to talk about the clay court season in tennis and not mention this guy. Nadal is the famed “king of clay.” The Spaniard is already one of the best tennis players you will find around town. But when it comes to playing on a clay court, he’s almost unstoppable.

So you can understand his numbers in this tournament already. He has not dropped a single set in all the games he has played in Monaco… and he has faced 3 different tennis players. No player will want to face this man as he seems to want to return to winning ways this year after retiring in his Australian Open quarter-final game against Marin Cilic.

2. Alexander Zverev

He may be 10 years younger than Nadal but this German professional tennis player is a favorite to go all the way and win the tournament.

Unlike Nadal, he has dropped a set in each of his three games played at the Monte Carlo Master already. In two of those games, he had to rally back from dropping the first set of the game.

All of his games have featured 3 sets. This means he has played more minutes than most of the other players and this could impact his play, especially given that the competition forces players to play every day.

His comebacks are pointers to the fact that the young lad, although he wakes up slow, almost always finds a way to pull through in games. This may be down to his sheer luck or sheer brilliance.

3. Kei Nishikori

The Japanese player was visibly struggling with some pain in his wrist when he took on Marin Cilic in Friday’s third quarter-final game. He took advantage of his opponent’s unforced errors and now he will be facing Zverev in the semi-finals.