Monte Carlo Masters Final Preview: Stefanos Tsistipas vs Alejandro Fokina H2H Prediction

Defending Monte Carlo Masters 1000 champion Stefanos Tsistipas is all set to defend his crown as he will take on Spanish youngster Alejandro Fokina in the final on Sunday. 

While Tsistipas had an easy march to the final Fokina was given a stern challenge by Grigor Dimitrov in the semis, but prevailed to book his place in the showdown finale. 

Interestingly, in all ATP Masters 1000 events this term, there has at least been one Spanish player in the final, this time in the form of Fokina.

Tsitsipas vs Fokina: H2H Record

The pair have met twice before, with the Greek international winning both affairs. They met last season as well in Monte Carlo, with Tsistipas advancing after winning the first set 7-5 and Fokina retiring with injury. 

They met earlier in the year at the Rotterdam Open, where again it was the 23-year-old who prevailed to win 7-5, 6-7, 6-4. The third meeting will likely be a huge occasion as Fokina tries to exact revenge on his counterpart.

Tsitsipas vs Fokina: Player Analysis

Tsistipas, 23, will be eager to make his serve count as a weapon as he possesses 75 per cent of first-serve points won. 

The defending champion's break point conversion rate also makes him a deadly customer. He was only broken twice in the semi-final bout while breaking the Zverev five times in the match. 

With eyes on the prize, Tsistipas will certainly look forward to up his game having dropped only one set in the entire tournament.

Spaniard Fokina has been on a giant-killing form but faces a real test as Tsistipas has the forehand play which might trouble him. 

With a 77 per cent first serve, the serve will hold a huge advantage in the swirling wind of Monaco. 

However, Fokina was somewhat fortunate to have saved seven breakpoints, so that remains an area where he will have to put in shifts as Tsistipas has the play to dominate the opponent on his return.

Tsitsipas vs Fokina: Journey so far in the 2022 Monte Carlo Masters

Tsistipas made light work of Zverev in the final as he won in straight sets 6-4, 6-2, but his real test came in the quarter-final against Schwartzman, who took the match to three sets. 

Apart from that, Tsistipas is hardly troubled as he overcame the challenge of Laslo Djere and Fabio Fognini in the previous rounds. The No.3 seed didn't drop a set before the quarter-final.

Fokina, who beat World No.1, Novak Djokovic, in the Round of 32, has been relentless so far, but apart from his 6-4, 6-1 win in the quarter-final and Round of 64 tie, he has been stretched in all other matches as they all have gone to three sets. 

On his way to the final, he beat the likes of David Goffin and Indian Wells champion Taylor Fritz before the semi-final win over Grigor Dimitrov.

While the Greece star has dropped only one set in the tournament, against Diego Schwartzman in the quarter-final, he will be destined to be tested by the Fokina. 

If Tsistipas does succeed in overcoming the challenge, it will be his fourth career title and a second ATP Masters 1000 title. 

For the Spaniard Fokina, it will be a touch of history if he succeeds to win the title as he will become the first Spanish player after Rafael Nadal to achieve the feat. It remains to be seen how the final unfolds as Tsistipas tries to defend his crown.

Prediction: Stefanos Tsistipas to win 7-5, 6-4