It’s France vs Argentina as the Monte Carlo madness kicks off. Agility and grit will meet power and efficiency when Corentin Moutet goes toe-to-toe with Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the Monte Carlo Masters on Tuesday. The French southpaw is a force to be reckoned with on clay and knows a thing or two about beating higher-ranked opponents. Meanwhile, Etcheverry has seen a sudden dip in form which has resulted in him dropping out of the Top-40.
A 5’11” pocket dynamite, Corentin Moutet upset second seed David Goffin in the qualifiers of Monte Carlo. He has a 13-10 record on clay over the past year, with his entertaining Round-3 run at the Paris Olympics being his most notable outing. The southpaw has reached one career final at the 2020 Qatar Open but failed to win the trophy. Nonetheless, a win on Tuesday will set up a mouth-watering clash against Ben Shelton or Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
Having lost his last three opening round matches at ATP Tour-level tournaments, Tomas Martin Etcheverry has been nearing rock bottom in 2025. The former World No. 27 has a break point conversion rate of merely 38% on clay over the last 12 months, which is worrisome. But the Argentine is more than capable of changing his own fortunes in the blink of an eye. With wins over the likes of Andy Murray and Alex De Minaur in the past, the 25-year-old has the skill set to bounce back.
Tomas Martin Etcheverry leads the head-to-head battle against Corentin Moutet by 1-0. Their only meeting was in early 2025 at the Rio Open, where Etcheverry was seeded No. 8 when the draw was released. He was drawn against Moutet in the Round of 32 and came through the encounter in straight sets. Coincidentally, this match was also played on outdoor clay, the same surface as Monte Carlo.
In that match at the Rio Open, Etcheverry defeated Moutet 6-3, 7-6(1). Unfortunately, the South American fell in the very next round. Both players are looking to regain momentum, making this Round-1 face-off a highly anticipated clash. The value of a Masters-1000 win is very high, and both players are eager to capitalize.
Corentin Moutet's current world ranking is No. 75, while Tomas Martin Etcheverry is ranked No. 46. Moutet's best Olympics performance was reaching the Round-3 stage at the Paris 2024 Olympics. However, he has had a mixed season since his third-round appearance at the Australian Open in January, with results varying significantly.
Despite Moutet's recent success in qualifying, where he defeated Gabriel Diallo and Goffin, he has spent over six hours on the court in just two days. This could pose a disadvantage as he faces Etcheverry, who is looking to regain his form on clay.
Etcheverry's recent performances have been disappointing, with three first-round exits in his last four tournaments. However, the Argentine has shown flashes of brilliance in the past, such as reaching the quarter-finals at Roland Garros in 2023. If he can find his confidence again, he could pose a significant threat on the clay surface.
As both players prepare for this crucial encounter, the stakes are high. Moutet's recent drama during his match against Tabilo in Miami, where he refused to play unless someone in the crowd was removed, adds an interesting layer to his competitive spirit. Will he channel that intensity into a victory against Etcheverry?
The prediction for this match leans towards Tomas Martin Etcheverry, given his higher ranking and previous win over Moutet. However, with both players eager to turn their seasons around, anything can happen on the day. The match promises to be a humdinger, and fans are in for a treat.
As the Monte Carlo Masters unfolds, all eyes will be on the clash between these two talented players. With their contrasting styles and recent form, this match is set to be an exciting start to the tournament. Will Moutet's agility and grit prevail over Etcheverry's power and efficiency? Only time will tell.
In the broader context of the tournament, the Monte Carlo Masters is renowned for its stunning backdrop and competitive field. It serves as a crucial event in the lead-up to the French Open, making every match significant for players looking to build momentum on clay.
As the tournament progresses, fans will be eager to see how Moutet and Etcheverry fare in their opening round and beyond. With the first round of the Monte Carlo Masters set to kick off, the excitement is palpable.
