Wawrinka has been impressive in his first appearance in Umag since 2007 and has won all six sets played at the clay-court ATP 250 event. He aims to clinch his first tour-level title since Geneva in 2017.
The 23-time grand slam champion leads Wawrinka 21-6, head-to-head. This was their just third meeting since the final of the 2016 US Open, which the Swiss player won.
Alcaraz, a participant in last year's quarterfinals, is presently ranked second in the ATP Live Race to Turin. If the 20-year-old wins his 11th tour-level championship at the clay-court major, he would surpass Live Race leader Daniil Medvedev, who was unexpectedly eliminated in the first rou
Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz on Friday survived a major scare at the Madrid Open as he rallied past Emil Ruusuvuori 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 to reach the third round.
Rune clinched a 6-2, 6-4 over the Austrian Thiem that helped him advance to the pre-quarters. This is his third appearance in Monaco and his first-ever qualification to the pre-quarters of this tournament.
The clay-court ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Monaco, to be held from April 9-16, announced on Tuesday that it will welcome back former World No. 3 Wawrinka for a 12th main-draw appearance at the Monte-Carlo Country Club.