Pascal Della Zuana /Icon Sport

Karen Khachanov vs Francisco Cerundolo: ATP Monte Carlo – second round

Two players with completely different style of play will face each other in the second round of the Monte Carlo Masters.

Karen Khachanov Profile

Karen Khachanov is currently 17th in the ATP rankings, while his career high was No. 8 in the world. The Russians are 13-7 for the season and 1-0 on clay courts.

He is coming off a 7-5, 7-6 win over Cameron Norrie in the first round in Monte Carlo.

Last week, Khachanov made it to the round of 16 in Miami, losing to Alexander Zverev 6-1, 6-4.

Khachanov won the title in Doha earlier this season, defeating Jakub Mensik in the final. That was his sixth ATP title in his career and the first after he won in Zhihai last year.

This is his eighth appearance in Monte Carlo, and he has made it to the round of 16 twice before.

Francisco Cerundolo Profile

Francisco Cerundolo is 22nd in the ATP rankings, three spots lower than his best career ranking. The Argentinian is 8-11 for the season and 4-4 on clay courts.

Cerundolo is coming off a 6-2, 7-6 win over Daniel Altmeier in the opening round in Monte Carlo. Last week, he lost the opener in Houston 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 against Luciano Darderi.

Cerundolo made it past the second round only once this season when he reached the semifinals in Rio de Janeiro, where he lost to his fellow compatriot Sebastian Baez.

This is the season for Cerundolo to play in Monte Carlo. Last year, he defeated Cameron Norrie in the opener and then lost to Matteo Berrettini.

Head-to-Head – Khachanov leads 3-0

• Khachanov vs Cerundolo 6-1, 5-7, 7-6 (2024 ATP Miami, third round)
• Khachanov vs Cerundolo 6-3, 6-2 (2023 ATP Miami, quarterfinal)
• Khachanov vs Cerundolo 7-6, 5-7, 6-3 (2022 ATP Montreal, first round)

Prediction and Conclusion

This will be the second match between these two players in just a couple of weeks after Khachanov won in the third round in Miami in the decisive tie break. The Russians are 3-0 all-time against Cerundolo, but none of those matches were played on clay. The Argentinian, just like any other player from South America, prefers to play on this surface. However, Khachanov has more experience in the Masters tournament and is the better overall player. He would not be able to live from his serve like he usually does on other surfaces, but still, he would be just better enough to make it to the next round.