The clay court season continues and the Monte Carlo Masters presents two decent second-round matchups today, April 7, 2026. These are short previews and our betting predictions for Alex de Minaur vs. Cameron Norrie and Alexei Popyrin vs. Casper Ruud.
Alex de Minaur vs. Cameron Norrie
Time: 14:30 CEST (approx.)
Venue: Court des Princes
Two real grinders on the tour. While both players are traditionally more comfortable on faster surfaces, they have both significantly improved their clay-court perfomances over the last seasons.
Cameron Norrie comes into this match with a good confidence boost, having defeated De Minaur just last month at Indian Wells in straight sets (6-4, 6-4). De Minaur, however, is the higher-seeded player and has been more consistent across the 2026 season, including a title win in Rotterdam.
Head-to-Head: The rivalry is closely contested. Norrie is up 3-2 and has found success by using his heavy lefty forehand to pull De Minaur out of position, but the Australian’s speed makes him difficult to hit through on the slow Monte Carlo dirt.
This might be about endurance in the end. Neither player will give away free points. Expect long rallies and a match decided by who can better manage the heavy conditions and the high-bouncing clay.
Predictions and Odds
De Minaur is, not surprisingly, the bookies favorite at around 1.40 (-250) but this might be tougher than that. Norrie likes this kind of slow, high-bouncing surface and he has a bit more momentum than the Australian at the moment. I think this match will be even and I like the odds of 1.91 (-110) for a +3.5 game hcp bet on Norrie.
Alexei Popyrin vs. Casper Ruud
Time: Scheduled for Today
Venue: Rainier III (Main Court)
This match features two slightly different styles where Popyrin is more about power and a strong serve. Casper Ruud is a two-time French Open finalist and always a threat whenever the surface turns red.
Ruud is arguably the most natural clay-courter in this draw outside of the top three seeds. With his massive topspin on his forehand he can dictate play and push opponents well behind the baseline.
The big-serving Australian, Popyrin, is a dangerous underdog though and quite hard to predict. He has the power to take the racket out of Ruud’s hands if he is clicking on serve. He recently showed great form by getting through a tough opening round, but this will be a level up today.
If Ruud is allowed to camp in his backhand corner and rip inside-out forehands, Popyrin will struggle to find an opening. Popyrin must serve at a high percentage and take risks early in the rallies.
Predictions and Odds
Looking at the odds we see Ruud at 1.30 (-333.3) and he will be the clear favorite entering this match. Popyrin actually won their only meeting so far, on these courts last year (3 sets) but I think Ruud will control most parts of this battle and get his revenge today. Casper in three sets.
