Monte-Carlo Masters 2024: Daniel Evans vs Sebastian Ofner; Preview, Prediction, Head-to-Head

The Monte-Carlo Masters is upon us, and the ATP Tour is moving on to clay in the Masters series. Daniel Evans is set to face Sebastian Ofner in their first-round appearance in the tournament. Since the tournament is exclusive to the ATP, both players will have many eyes on them as they adapt to the new surface in France. 

Evans and Ofner are coming off of similar stints in 2024, which have not gone well for them. Both need a break from back-to-back defeats, but only one player can be the one to claim victory.

Daniel Evans vs Sebastian Ofner: Preview

Evans began 2024 with a first-round exit in the Australian Open to Lorenzo Sonego. Unfortunately, the Briton would have several first-round exits in 2024. The Delray Beach Open, Mexican Open, BNP Paribas Open, and the Grand Prix Hassan II would all see Evans eliminated in the first round as he failed to play significant tennis.

The Los Cabos Open and the Miami Open would serve as his only respite as he managed to win the first round but saw himself eliminated in the second. His wins came against Roman Safiullin and Lorenzo Sonego. He now aims to win his third match of 2024 against Ofner.

Ofner began 2024 with a great run in the Hong Kong Open, as he played till the semifinal. Unfortunately, he would not be able to display the same talent again. The Australian Open, Cordoba Open, Argentina Open, Indian Wells Masters, Challenger Phoenix, and Grand Prix Hassan II would see him eliminated in the first round. 

Aside from them, he managed to attain a win in the ASB Classics, Mexico Open, and the Miami Open and now hopes for a win against Evans.  

Evans vs Ofner: Head-to-Head

Sebastian Ofner and Daniel Evans have never exchanged blows on the ATP Tour or the Challenger series in their careers. This is the first ever for the two players and the sport itself. Both players will try various strategies to overcome their opponents, which should make an exciting bout for the audience that watches them adapt to clay after many back-to-back hard-court events. 

Prediction: Ofner to take the win

In the last year on clay, Evans has won 73.3% of his serve games and 18.5% of his return games. Evans has played an average of 23.9 games in his ten clay-court matches over the last year. In his career, Evans has a win percentage of 50.47% on clay. 

When playing on clay, Ofner has a serve win percentage of 67.1% and a return game win percentage of 30%. In 23 clay-court matches over the last year, Ofner has averaged 25.3 games per match and 9.9 games each set. Ofner has won 57.7% of his matches on the clay court. 

Both players have shown abysmal performances in the last few months, which makes it difficult to set them apart from each other. However, with the slight edge on clay, Ofner has a better chance of winning the match, but the misfortune of facing Alexander Zverev in the next round.

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