Grigor Dimitrov will be making his 2025 clay-court debut this week. The veteran Bulgarian has enjoyed a real renaissance these past 18 months or so but has struggled with injury issues this campaign.
2025 ATP Tour
Masters 1000
Monte-Carlo Masters
Monte Carlo Country Club, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France (Outdoor Clay)
Selected Round of 64 Matches- 8th April
Grigor Dimitrov (15) 0.31 vs Nicolas Jarry 2.4
Dimitrov was forced to withdraw from three events this year, with groin issues
hampering the early portion of his season. But he found a bit of rhythm during the ‘Sunshine Double’, reaching the round of 16 in Indian Wells before a semifinal run in Miami. Dimitrov is a two-time semifinalist here (2018 and 2022). Dimitrov’s single-handed backhand probably gives him more natural variety than some of his contemporaries. He loves to slice that backhand to change the momentum of rallies. These courts are slow enough that he can also go around his backhand and use that formidable forehand wing.
29-year-old Chilean Nicolas Jarry is in desperate need of a jolt. He is 1-5 in his last five events and will be looking to end a three-match losing streak here. Jarry- like Dimitrov- has enjoyed some solid success these past few years, rising to a career-high ranking of 16 last year. Jarry is an avowed clay-court specialist, reaching four clay-court finals in the last two years. He reached the biggest final of his career last year, losing to Alex Zverev in the Rome Masters final. Jarry isn’t your typical clay-court specialist. He has a big serve and gigantic forehand and looks to play all-out aggressive tennis. His brand of first-strike tennis allows him to conserve more energy than some of his clay-court contemporaries. He will look to hit his forehand down the line, aiming to exploit Dimitrov’s potentially vulnerable backhand wing.
The Verdict: Dimitrov to win in straight sets at 0.88- Jarry leads the head-to-head 2-1, winning both of their clay-court matches. I think that Dimitrov is due some clay-court revenge on Jarry. Jarry hasn’t shone at this event in the past and he looks a shadow of his best self. He never performed well on the South American clay, going 1-3 in three events. Dimitrov is a two-time semifinalist here and arrives in far superior form.
