ATP MONACO THIRD ROUND PICKS: WAWRNKA AND DJOKOVIC GO HEAD-TO-HEAD

Stanislas Wawrinka, who is after winning the Casablanca title, set up a scintillating third round encounter against Novak Djokovic in the third round of the ATP Monte Carlo Rolex Masters. 
Wawrinka extended his winning streak to six in a row  when he took out Ernests Gulbis yesterday and now he will aim to extend this run at the expense of Djokovic, the 2009 runner-up. In that endeavour, William Hill has set Wawrinka at an attractive 2/1 puppy price.
Wawrinka has, if the bookies take were to be taken seriously, a theoretical and reasonable shot at the upset.
Where he is concerned, the overwhelming question is can he be trusted to punch above his weight class? This would not be the first time Wawrinka looms threatening, hyped up in the market so.
In a word, No. At least, I don’t think so. Too often he has fallen short of the mark in similar situations. His poor track record against top-ten opposition is case-and-point.
This is not to say he will not turn the negative trend around. In some respects, it wouldn’t even be surprising if he did but rather a relief – an “about time” moment.
He has the tools and even the game, especially on clay to upset a player like Djokovic. What he doesn’t have is the mental capacity – at least not from what we have seen of him in previous clutch situations.
Djokovic is listed at favourable 4/11 odds and is the popular wager in the market. Djokovic has enjoyed mixed form of late though, a trend that shouldn’t be glossed over for it concerned even him, substantiated by the recent announcement he has parted ways with part-time coach Todd Martin.
What does this mean for Djokovic? Where his upcoming matchup against Wawrinka is concerned it should have little impact (the tournament proper is another matter entirely). Djokovic is still working with his long-time coach Marian Vajda (never stopped, really) so easing back into his old routine should be simple enough. 
What is more representative is the fact that he has beaten Wawrinka before so he has confidence from that score to draw from and advance into the next round. In addition, his incredible stint on clay last year, sets him up well as a viable threat to Nadal this season at Monte Carlo.  
Back to the match at hand: it is on Djokovic’s racquet and it is his to win or lose irrespective of the rather close tennis betting market served up. That said a win by Wawrinka would not be a shocker. He might finally come of age.