The Monte Carlo Rolex Masters is one of
the seven ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournaments during the course
of the season. This is the highest tier of tournament behind the
Grand Slams and naturally produces big fields. The action in Monte
Carlo, the event being known as the Gem of the Mediterranean is the
first of three Masters 1000 events to be held on clay. Big money and
big Tour points are on offer in this one, and there is a lot of
prestige about this tournament in the luxurious location. The other
Gem of the Mediterranean, Rafael Nadal, will be back for the 2013
edition of the event to continue what has been a truly amazing
affinity with the red clay surface of Monte Carlo.
Sometimes picking out a favourite for a
tennis event is just an easy thing. Sometimes it has been made all so
simple for you. This is the case here, with the dominance of Rafael
Nadal in Monte Carlo. His match record at the event stands at a
staggering 44-1. He first lifted the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters title
in 2005. Since that maiden win he has defended the title seven times
in succession and goes for an unbelievable ninth title in 2013. In
the 2012 final he snapped a seven match losing streak against Novak
Djokovic to hold on to the title, so the Spaniard does not look as if
he is going to let his grip on the event slide too easily. Since
coming back from injury, Nadal won three of his four events on his
return.
That is what champions are made of.
Current World Number One Novak Djokovic hasn’t been in the winners
spotlight at Monte Carlo yet in his career. He has finished runner up
twice there, including last season. While his run to the final came
in a difficult week for him after the death of his grandfather, this
time his pre tournament build up has been trying to shake off an
injury. He rolled his ankle for Serbia in a Davis Cup match, but he
still soldiered on with the rolled-ankle to win the decisive rubber
in the match for his country. Djokovic has two titles under his belt
this season but didn’t make the final of either of the first two
ATP World Tour Masters 1000 titles in 2013.
2012 US Open winner Andy Murray has
just a 10-6 match record in Monte Carlo heading into his latest
attempt in 2013. Clay has been Murray’s weakest surface without
much question really, but he has been trying make a concerted effort
to improve his game on there. It may take time to pay off though and
his best efforts have been semi final runs in 2009 and 2011. The
benchmark on clay court tournaments of course is Rafael Nadal and in
both of Murray's semi finals in Monte Carlo, he lost to the Spaniard.
Murray would bump into Nadal at the semi final stage of this season’s
tournament and the Spaniard would have to be favourite.
Arguably Rafael Nadal will be favoured
in 2013 Monte Carlo Rolex Masters tennis betting, whoever he goes up
against. Will he be able to make it a record nine titles in a row? If
so the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 record holder will take his tally
of those titles to 23.
Full schedule of Tennis Betting
tournaments and matches
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