'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Match Details
Fixture: (9) Karen Khachanov vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
Tournament: Monte-Carlo Masters 2023.
Round: First round (Round of 64).
Venue: Monte Carlo, Monaco.
Category: ATP Masters 1000.
Surface: Outdoor clay.
Prize money: €5,779,335.
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Amazon Prime Video.
Karen Khachanov vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina preview
Karen Khachanov will take on Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the first round of the 2023 Monte-Carlo Masters.
Khachanov has performed quite well in most of the tournaments he has competed in thus far. He made back-to-back quarterfinals at a couple of ATP 250 events in the lead-up to the Australian Open. In the season's first Grand Slam, the Russian made it to the semifinals.
Following early exits from the Dubai Tennis Championships and the Indian Wells Masters, Khachanov reached the semifinals in Miami. He lost to eventual champion Daniil Medvedev in straight sets. The 26-year-old will now commence his clay season in Monte Carlo.
Davidovich Fokina, meanwhile, managed to reach three quarterfinals during the hardcourt swing. The biggest of them was at the Indian Wells Masters, where he was defeated by Medvedev in straight sets.
The Spaniard competed at the Estoril Open to commence his journey on clay this year. Following a first-round bye, he knocked out Luca Van Ashe in straight sets to make the last eight. Davidovich Fokina then lost to Marco Cecchinato in straight sets in the quarterfinals.
Karen Khachanov vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina head-to-head
Davidovich Fokina leads Khachanov 2-0 in the head-to-head. He won their previous encounter at the 2023 Indian Wells Masters in straight sets.
Karen Khachanov vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina odds
(Odds are sourced from BetMGM)
Karen Khachanov vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina prediction
Davidovich Fokina defeated Khachanov just last month at the Indian Wells Masters in a tough three-set encounter. Despite the match being played on hardcourts, the relatively slow conditions there are reminiscent of the ones on clay.
The Monte-Carlo Masters is a tournament where Davidovich Fokina has put his best foot forward. He made the quarterfinals upon making his debut in 2021 and was the runner-up last year.
Khachanov couldn't have asked for a tougher first-round opponent. While he has performed quite well at the French Open, his results at other clay tournaments have been underwhelming.
Davidovich Fokina's well-timed drop shots work wonders on the red dirt. While he's not the biggest server, he does manage to return fairly well, especially on clay. Khachanov, on the other hand, will have to contend with his serve being slightly blunted on the surface.
Given Davidovich Fokina's winning record over Khachanov, coupled with his performances in Monte Carlo, he'll be the favorite heading into this contest. Expect the Spaniard to kick off his campaign with a win.
Pick: Alejandro Davidovich Fokina to win in straight sets.
