Monte Carlo ATP 1000 #3

1. Nadal

2. Federer

3. Murray

4. Djokovic

5. Del Potro

6. Simon

7. Verdasco

8. Davydenko

9. Monfils

10. Ferrer

11. Robredo

12. Nalbandian

13. Wawrinka (pictured with Fed)

14. Cilic

15. Stepanek

16. Almagro

My Pick: Nadal (Again… you can’t pick against him!)

Underdog pick: Ferrer. Tough start to the year for David, but he’s got greatness in him.

Stan is the man. I realize he’s a countrymen and good friends with Roger… and has trained with Roger numerous times and has a fantastic feel for his game, but credit is due. That being said, this is just another bump in the incredibly rocky road that Roger is traveling down. In my opinion it’s simple… he’s not devoting the time and in not good enough shape, and therefore his shot selection is getting embarassingly poor.

David Ferrer… what in the heck happened man? Verdasco is a solid player, but to get stomped 2 and 1 on clay just seems out of the question. I didn’t get to see the match so if anybody can enlighten me as to how that happened I’d love to hear it. I’m guessing Verdasco must have been on fire with that massive forehand but you’d still have to think Ferrer could pull it to 3 and 3 or something.

As for Murray beating Davydenko 6 and 4, is anybody currently living on the planet earth suprised? I’m not going to hop on the Murray bandwagon any time soon but had you suggested the score was either Davydenko winning 7-6 in the third OR Murray winning 1 and 1, I’d guess 1 and 1 every time.

Murray looks a little out of sorts on the clay, I don’t know that he’s feeling the same sort of confidence that he has on hard courts right now… though it’s hard to imagine he can’t find it. Either way he won’t find it in time as Rafa will take him out.

Novak SHOULD beat Stan, but if it’s a hot day I’ll pick Wawrinka.

Nadal will win this tournament, and most likely every other tournament he plays on clay this year unless he re-injures his knee again.

For the main draw singles, click here

In addition, if anyone disagrees with me or has different predictions please feel free to post comments below and I’ll check back, I love hearing what others think.