Djokovic Heads Betting For Monte Carlo Masters

Monte Carlo Masters

Tennis
Published: 14/04/2015

The Monte Carlo Masters are in full swing with the tournament`s second round currently in process. Despite not being a competition in which Novak Djokovic enjoys too much success, the World Number One is the current 5/4 favourite with bet365 and a number of other bookmakers following his straight sets win over qualifier Albert Ramos-Vinolas in the second stage (6-1, 6-4). The Serb will play Austrian Andreas Haider-Maurer in the third round after he saw off Australian Bernard Tomic in three sets (6-7, 7-6, 6-4).

Djokovic has taken home the Monte Carlo Masters title on only one occasion, that being back in 2013 when beating Rafael Nadal 6-2, 7-6. He has previously been the runner-up on two other occasions, losing out to Nadal in both 2009 (3-6, 6-2, 1-6) and 2012 (6-3, 6-1). The 27-year-old`s favouritism here will be down to his triumph in the opening Grand Slam of the season in Australia as well as his clinching of both the Indian Wells and Miami Masters crowns.

Nadal is the second favourite in the betting, the Spaniard having secured a total of eight consecutive Monte Carlo Masters titles from 2005 to 2012. His defeat to Djokovic in the final of 2013 was his first defeat in this competition in 48 matches. Last year Nadal could only make it to the quarter-finals of the tournament, losing out to compatriot David Ferrer (6-7, 4-6).

This time around the World Number Five will play wildcard Lucas Pouille in the second stage of the competition after the Frenchman valiantly saw off Dominic Thiem in straight sets. Pouille took sealed the victory by six games to four in either set. Potentially meeting David Ferrer in the quarter-final should he make it so far, Nadal is a 9/4 chance (Betvictor, paddy Power) to secure his ninth ever Monte Carlo Masters tournament.

Closely following the pair in the betting is last year`s runner-up Roger Federer, the Swiss player looking to claim his first ever title in this competition, he being a four-time losing finalist. Federer can be backed at 5/1 across the board.

Despite his poor competition record, the 33-year-old has already taken home the Dubai Duty Free title this year and successfully made the final of the Indian Wells Masters, losing out in the final to Djokovic (3-6, 7-6, 2-6). Finding himself in section four of this competition, Federer will face off against Jeremy Chardy in the second round following the Frenchman`s victory over qualifier Diego Schwartzmann.

Federer lost out to Stanislas Wawrinka last season and it is he who can be picked up at 15/1 at 32red, 888sport and unibet to earn himself consecutive Monte Carlo Masters titles. Wawrinka beat his fellow countryman in three sets in 2014, running out the 4-6, 7-6, 6-2 victor.

An Australian Open semi-finalist this year, he will be looking to get his tournament off to a good start as he takes on Juan Monaco of Argentina in the competition`s second stage. Monaco previously beat Czech player Jiri Vesely (6-4, 6-2) in round one. Wawrinka has picked up two tournament titles this year thanks to victories in the Chennai Open and the Rotterdam Open.

Finally, David Ferrer rounds of the top five in the betting, he being another former finalist. Ferrer is a 25/1 shot at a quartet of bookmakers (ladbrokes, sportingbet, Stan James, william hill).

Elsewhere at larger prices, Gilles Simon will be looking to claim his second seasonal title after success in France`s Open 15. He can be backed at 150/1 at most bookies. Alexandr Dolgopolov caused Djokovic a scare by taking their first set in their Miami Masters clash and could be a lively outsider at 200/1 (betfred, Totesport).

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Any odds displayed within this article were correct at the time of publishing (14/04/2015) but are subject to change.

14/04/2015     © Frixo 2024

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