ATP Monte-Carlo - Fernando Verdasco vs. Ivan Dodig (11:00 BST)

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by Crunch Sports Staff

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Fernando Verdasco (credit: Valery Hache/AFP/Getty Images)

Fernando Verdasco takes on Ivan Dodig today in the second round of the Monte Carlo Masters (11:00 BST start).

No. 13 seed Verdasco is seen by some as an outsider to win this week's event, but the 2010 runner-up was given a tough test in his opener before he eventually saw off Belgium’s Olivier Rochus, 4-6 6-2 7-5.

Next up for Verdasco is Ivan Dodig. The world No. 57 hasn't made a great start to the year and as things currently stand, he’s lost more matches than he’s won in 2012.

Still, he produced a ruthless performance to effectively put an end to Ivan Ljubicic’s career. The elder Croatian, a former top ten player, had vowed to bow out of professional tennis after this event. He’ll be disappointed with his 6-3 6-0 loss against Dodig, and hopefully this loss will give him the urge to play at least one more match at ATP level.

Verdasco is widely seen as favourite to advance to round three, and although Dodig impressed in round one, he should be able to avoid what would widely be seen as an upset.

Prediction: Verdasco in straight sets.

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