Monte Carlo Masters 2021: Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Andrey Rublev preview, head-to-head & prediction

Match details

Fixture: (4) Stefanos Tsitsipas vs (6) Andrey Rublev

Date: 18 April 2021

Tournament: Rolex Monte Carlo Masters 2021

Round: Final

Venue: Monte Carlo, Monaco

Category: ATP Masters 1000

Surface: Clay

Prize money: €2,082,960

Match timing: Not Before 2.30 pm local time, 6 pm IST

Live telecast: USA - ESPN / Tennis Channel | UK - Amazon Prime Video

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Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Andrey Rublev preview

Familiar foes Stefanos Tsitsipas and Andrey Rublev will square off against each other in the final of the 2021 Monte Carlo Masters on Sunday. What many expected to be a Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal matchup until a few days ago, is now a contest between two of the best young stars in men's tennis.

Tsitsipas made short work of Djokovic's conqueror Dan Evans, in the first semifinal on Saturday. The Greek won 6-2, 6-1 to make it to his third Masters 1000 final.

Stefanos Tsitsipas celebrates his win over Dan Evans

Tsitsipas has had an extremely consistent 2021 season so far. He has made it to the quarterfinals of every event that he has participated in, barring the ATP Cup. The former ATP Finals champion is yet to drop a set at Monte Carlo, and has been broken just thrice so far.

That said, Tsitsipas would be wary of the challenge of Rublev, especially given that the Russian defeated Rafael Nadal in the quarterfinals. Rublev followed that breakthrough win with a sumptuous display against another strong claycourter, Casper Ruud, in the semifinals.

The 23-year-old beat Ruud 6-3, 7-5 on Saturday to make it to the final in comfortable fashion. Like Tsitsipas, Rublev has never won a title at this level either; in fact, this is the Russian's first ever Masters 1000 final.

Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Andrey Rublev head-to-head

The head-to-head between Stefanos Tsitsipas and Andrey Rublev is currently tied at 3-3.

The two youngsters have played each other twice on clay - Hamburg 2020 and Roland Garros 2020. While Rublev won the best-of-three tie in Germany, Tsitsipas won the Grand Slam fixture in straight sets.

Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Andrey Rublev prediction

Andrey Rublev celebrates after beating Casper Ruud

This is a match-up that has historically been difficult to call. Stefanos Tsitsipas and Andrey Rublev are well-versed with each other's games and have the weapons to give each other a difficult time.

Tsitsipas is arguably a better mover on clay, but Rublev is more proficient at hitting his opponents off the court. And while the Greek may have been more fluent in his victories this week, Rublev comes into the final better tested.

The Russian not only accounted for Rafael Nadal in the quarters, but also overcame stiff resistance from Roberto Bautista Agut in the third round. He deployed a smart tactic against both Ruud and Nadal, pinning them to their backhand corners and not allowing them to make use of their stronger forehand side.

That said, Tsitsipas has a lot of variety off both wings, and that often helps him get out of tricky situations. If the Greek finds his first serve regularly and strikes his forehand with precision, he might be able to outsmart Rublev and secure his first Masters 1000 title.

Prediction: Stefanos Tsitsipas to win in three sets.