Sebastian Baez, ranked 50 and competing for Argentina, enters the Monte Carlo first round on clay as the clear favourite with Pinnacle odds of 1.38. The left-hander showed mixed recent form with two wins against J. Lehecka and V. Gaubas offset by three losses, most notably to D. Medvedev in straight sets. Baez holds a 0–1 record against Stan Wawrinka head-to-head, giving him motivation to level that deficit on a surface where clay-court specialists often thrive.

Stan Wawrinka, the Swiss veteran ranked 98, faces an uphill battle at Monte Carlo with odds of 3.28 reflecting his underdog status in the first round. Recent results have been difficult for the former world number 3, with three losses in his last five matches including straight-set defeats to D. Medvedev and A. De Minaur, though he did collect wins over B. Hassan and T. Boogaard. Wawrinka's experience on clay and his history with Baez (leading 1–0 in their head-to-head) offer some hope, but momentum appears to be against him.