Roger Federer (Photo : Getty Images)
With the unexpected exit of tournament favorite Novak Djokovic, the 2016 Monte Carlo Masters has suddenly become a wide-open race among the remaining contenders. Roger Federer, coming off an impressive comeback match, will try to sustain his strong run, while Rafael Nadal looks to seize the moment now that his main rival is now out of the competition.
Rafael Nadal vs. Dominic Thiem at 7:00 a.m US ET on Tennis Channel, Sky Sports / Live Stream on ESPN Watch / Radio on Monte Carlo Radio / Stats & Score on Pro Tennis
On the line: Again, Nadal will have much clearer path toward reclaiming the Monte Carlo Masters title following Jiri Vesely's huge upset against Novak Djokovic on Wednesday. While he hasn't been playing consistent tennis for quite some time, this version of Nadal is good enough to be one of the contenders in the European clay-court season.
However, Djokovic's sudden exit doesn't mean a guaranteed title for Nadal as the road to glory is still riddled with strong opponents like Andy Murray, Milos Raonic and Stan Wawrinka. In fact, Nadal doesn't need to look far down the road because his third-round opponent will be the same player that defeated him in the semifinal of Argentine Open - the up-and-coming Austrian netter Dominic Thiem.
Related Story: Rafael Nadal vows to fight in every match like his last [ATP update]
For Nadal, a win over Thiem will not only vindicate his loss over the Austrian but it will give him more confidence as his campaign progresses. As for Thiem, this is his chance to prove his victory over the former world's no.1 wasn't even a fluke.
Prediction & Predicted Winner: Thiem defeated Nadal on a clay-court match fair and square. At 22-years old, Thiem already has the tools to beat a big-time like Nadal, it's just a matter of time before he utilizes all of his arsenals consistently.
Thiem is going to be a problem again for Nadal, living up to his reputation as a potential Grand Slam champion in the next 3 to 5 years. Unfortunately for him, the Mallorcan Bull will be very much prepared in their rematch. The Austrian will still push Nadal to the limit, but I see Rafa scoring the big points down the stretch. Nadal winning 6-4, 5-7, 6-4.
Roger Federer vs. Roberto Bautista-Agut at 9:00 a.m US ET on Tennis Channel, Sky Sports / Live Stream on ESPN Watch / Scores & Stats on Pro Tennis
On the line: Federer set a modest goal in his first tournament off a two-month knee rehab. Still, his second-round performance (a 6-3, 6-4 win over Guillermo Garcia-Lopez) over suggests that he's very much capable of playing deep in this tournament, especially now that Djokovic already bombed out.
Bautista-Agut, on the other hand, seeks his third straight victory after eliminating compatriot Albert Ramos-Vinolas and Frenchman Jeremy Chardy. Federer at his current condition is still top foe to topple, but this is probably his best chance to pull off an upset against the universally-recognized best tennis player in history.
Prediction & Predicted Winner: Federer's second round demolition of Garcia-Lopez just proved that no injury would derail his big plans for 2016. Federer may no longer as explosive as he was 7 years ago, but his experience in numerous battles has kept him at the top of his game at this point. Bautista-Agut, a clay-court expert, will present some challenge here and there, yet it's Federer who's going to control the match in the end. Federer 6-3, 6-3.
