The 2025 Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters has kicked off, marking the official commencement of the clay-court season. Some of the world’s elite players are competing for the first 1000-level title on clay. Held at the Monte-Carlo Country Club, this tournament promises thrilling matches, as each player aims to start their European clay-court campaign positively.
I will be providing daily best bet recommendations throughout the tournament, starting with my picks for Monte-Carlo on Friday, April 11th. Below are some of my preferred bets, and I occasionally update additional selections on the picks page. There, you’ll also find plays for other tournaments, making it worthwhile to become a VSiN Pro. Our Summer Special is priced at just $59 and is valid until August 1st, offering a wealth of tennis picks, write-ups, and coverage for all other sports, including our live programming!
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Alejandro Davidovich Fokina vs. Alexei Popyrin
Popyrin surprised me in the last round by defeating Casper Ruud, despite being significantly outperformed. After losing the first set, Ruud was dominating most rallies in the second and third sets. However, Popyrin’s powerful serve kept things competitive until Ruud unexpectedly faltered late in the third set.
Now on a three-match winning streak, Popyrin has often struggled to play consistently. He managed to win a tight three-set match against Ugo Humbert, who was playing with a limited capacity. Following that, he battled through another three-set match against a tired Frances Tiafoe before facing Ruud. I believe his luck will run out against Davidovich Fokina, who recently defeated an in-form Jack Draper in the Round of 16.
Davidovich Fokina boasts a 17-8 record and is enjoying his best year yet with a winning percentage of 68.0%. He is currently in excellent form on one of his preferred surfaces. Having reached his sole 1000-level final in Monte-Carlo in 2022, where he performed admirably against Stefanos Tsitsipas, he possesses both agility and power that suit slower courts.
In addition, Davidovich Fokina has been one of the top returners in 2025, which could effectively disrupt Popyrin’s service games. If he can capitalize on this and maintain decent serving himself, he is likely in for a straightforward victory.
Bet: Davidovich Fokina ML (-161)
NOTE: I added this Davidovich Fokina selection to the VSiN picks page as soon as the odds were released. While it may not be available again, -1.5 games at -145 odds is still a reasonable option. Additionally, consider parlaying Davidovich Fokina with another bet to improve the odds.
Lorenzo Musetti vs. Stefanos Tsitsipas
You don’t win this title three times purely by chance. Tsitsipas is a formidable competitor at this venue. He is also entering this tournament after a promising start to the season, which heightens his confidence and form. Given these considerations, I would be surprised to see him lose. However, the heavy betting on Musetti makes me hesitant to place a larger wager than planned.
Bet: Tsitsipas ML (-150)
