Monte Carlo Masters 2024: Novak Djokovic vs Lorenzo Musetti preview, head-to-head, prediction, live streaming details

Published at :April 11, 2024 at 5:55 PM

Modified at :April 11, 2024 at 6:27 PM

(Courtesy : ATP Tour)

Djokovic saw-off Roman Safiullin in straight sets in his first match.

Novak Djokovic will face Italian Lorenzo Musetti in the third round of Monte Carlo Masters 2024. Djokovic — a two-time champion in Monaco has had less than a satisfactory start to his 2024 season. Alongside being unable to defend his Australian Open title, the Serbian made early exits at Indian Wells (third round) and Miami (second round).

As the action reaches the clay courts of Europe, the Serbian appears to have put his slow start to the season behind him. The World No. 1 breezed past Roman Safiullin with a 6-1, 6-2 win to move into the third round and go up 2-0 in their head-to-head.

Lorenzo Musetti earned his place in the third round with a straight set win over Frenchman Arthur Fills, 6-3, 7-5. Musetti had earlier sent Taylor Fritz out of the event, also in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4.

Novak Djokovic vs Lorenzo Musetti match details

Date: April 11, Thursday

Time: 6:10 PM IST (Tentative)

Venue: Monte-Carlo Country Club, Monaco

Novak Djokovic vs Lorenzo Musetti preview

Novak Djokovic appears to have turned the tide with a comprehensive 70-minute victory over Russia’s Roman Safiullin, 6-1, 6-2. The Serbian now has 115 opening-round match wins in ATP Masters 1000 events. He also makes his 17th main draw appearance at the Monte Carlos Masters.

Djokovic converted five break points while yielding none. He also made only five unforced errors compared to Safiullin’s 21.

The Serbian is looking for a return to form at an event where he hasn’t made the last four since 2017.

In Musetti, he will be facing a player, who is only one of three to have defeated him at major events, including Grand Slams and Masters in 2023. Carlos Alcaraz and Holger Rune are the other two. Musetti defeated the top seed last year in Monte Carlo in the round of 16, coming back from a set down to take the win in three sets, 4-6, 7-5, 6-4.

The Italian held off a late charge from Arthur Fils to win his second-round game in one hour, and forty minutes to make his third consecutive round of 16 appearance in the Principality.

Should the Serbian take home the trophy, he will have crossed two more milestones – a 41st ATP Masters crown and a third sweep of all nine Masters 1000 tournaments.

Head-to-head records

Matches – 4

Novak Djokovic – 3

Lorenzo Musetti – 1

The head-to-head rivalry between Djokovic and Musetti is four matches old – three have gone Djokovic’s way, while Musetti has won once. Musetti posted his only top-ten win of 2023 when he bested the Serbian at the same stage in Monaco last year. Djokovic won their first three face-offs at Roland Garros (2021), Dubai (2022), and Paris (2022).

Where and how to watch the live streaming and TV broadcast of Novak Djokovic vs Lorenzo Musetti, Monte Carlo Masters 2024, third-round match in India?

The third-round face-off between Novak Djokovic and Lorenzo Musetti at the 2024 Monte Carlo Masters will be broadcast live on the Sony Network. Viewers preferring the big screen can watch the game on Sony Sports Ten 5 in high and standard definition. The network’s streaming service, SonyLiv, will make available the match on their app and website.

Prediction

The upcoming round of 16 fixture between Novak Djokovic and Lorzeno Musetti will be a rematch of last year in which the then 21st-ranked Italian upset Djokovic in three sets. Djokovic’s clash with Musetti will be his third against an Italian in 2024.

The World No. 1 has a 0-2 record against Italians this season, losing to Jannik Sinner in the semifinals at Melbourne and Luca Nardi in the third round at Indian Wells.

Djokovic will be hungry for a title after a lacklustre start to his 2024 campaign – he is the more experienced player at Monte Carlo with a 36-14 win-loss record. Musetti is 5-3 at the venue and made the quarterfinals last year. Both players boast a reasonable success rate on clay – Djokovic (80%) and Musetti, fifteen years his junior, has won 61% of his matches.

The current season’s numbers – Djokovic has won 71% of first-serve points against 68% by Musetti. The duo are proficient at finding and converting those breakpoints – both are on 45%. Djokovic steals a match over Musetti in service games won, at 82% to 77%.

The World No. 1 has not won here in nearly a decade – his last title coming in 2015, and will have to dig deep against Musetti to reach the last eight. Carlos Alcaraz’s injury-related withdrawal, though brightening the Serb’s chances for a win, has also introduced another Italian, Lorenzo Sonego, into the fray.

Result: Novak Djokovic to win in three sets.

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