Russia’s Andrey Rublev (C) reacts as he leaves the court docket on the finish of his Monte Carlo ATP Masters Collection Event spherical of 32 tennis match in opposition to Australia’s Alexei Popyrin on the Rainier III court docket on the Monte Carlo Nation Membership on April 10, 2024.
| Picture Credit score: AFP
Andrey Rublev’s Monte Carlo Masters title defence ended on the first hurdle on Wednesday with a straight-sets defeat by Australian Alexei Popyrin, whereas Jannik Sinner eased by.
The Russian by no means obtained going within the second-round tie as Popyrin eased to a 6-4, 6-4 win on the conventional clay court docket warm-up for the French Open.
The world quantity 46 will face compatriot Alex de Minaur, who beat Tallon Griekspoor in three units, for a attainable quarter-final in opposition to Novak Djokovic.
“I loved popping out on centre court docket for the primary time. First event on clay of the 12 months and I’ve good reminiscences from clay final 12 months,” mentioned Popyrin, who gained his second ATP title in Croatia on clay in 2023.
“I’m feeling actually snug on it and joyful to beat a man who was in type, assured and the defending champ. It was an superior match.”
The loss prolonged a poor run of type for Rublev, after a defeat in his opening match in opposition to Tomas Machac in Miami and dropping to Jiri Lehecka within the Indian Wells final 32.
The sixth seed had a break level to stage at 5-5 within the second set, however discovered the web and Popyrin closed out the victory.
Rublev lifted his first Masters 1000 title in Monaco final 12 months by beating Holger Rune within the closing.
Australian Open champion Sinner cruised by, although, seeing off American Sebastian Korda 6-1, 6-2.
The world quantity two transformed seven of the 12 break factors he created and saved all three of those he confronted in a dominant efficiency.
The Italian will subsequent play Jan-Lennard Struff of Germany within the final 16.
“Yearly, it is robust to come back right here and attempt to carry out properly, however I am very joyful about this efficiency and let’s examine what’s coming within the subsequent spherical,” mentioned Sinner, who misplaced to Rune within the semi-finals 12 months in the past.
“I have not served very properly, however I returned very properly, I stayed near the baseline.”
Offended Medvedev by
Daniil Medvedev made quick work of a doubtlessly tough opening tie with Gael Monfils, sealing a 6-2, 6-4 win.
But it surely was not all plain crusing for the Russian on court docket as he remonstrated with umpire Mohamed Lahyani over a line-judge name.
Trailing 4-1 within the second set, Medvedev recovered his composure to win 5 straight video games and open his clay court docket season with an authoritative win.
“It was a tactical sport right here and there however I felt good,” mentioned Medvedev.
“I performed good pace the place I may defend properly and never give him (Monfils) two simple balls.”
The world quantity 4 will subsequent go head-to-head with fellow Russian Karen Khachanov within the third spherical, with both Alexander Zverev or Stefanos Tsitsipas ready within the final eight.
Talking about his subsequent opponent, the 2021 US Open champion mentioned: “I feel Karen likes (clay) extra however I can play properly on clay… Even when I’m 45 I can say I’ve a Rome Masters title, so I can play properly on it and I’m joyful about it.”
Medvedev has reached a minimum of the semi-finals in all 4 of his earlier tournaments up to now this season.
Two-time champion Tsitsipas confirmed indicators of a return to his greatest, thrashing Argentina’s Tomas Martin Etcheverry 6-1, 6-0 in simply over an hour.
French 14th seed Ugo Humbert progressed with a 6-1, 6-4 success in opposition to China’s Zhang Zhizhen.
He’ll subsequent tackle Lorenzo Sonego, who ensured former top-10 participant Felix Auger-Aliassime’s depressing run of type continued, successful 6-4, 7-5.
Italy’s Sonego solely reached the primary draw as a fortunate loser after the withdrawal of Carlos Alcaraz.
Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz additionally went by in straight units, defeating Roberto Bautista Agut 7-5, 7-6 (7/4).
Three-time Grand Slam runner-up Casper Ruud is up subsequent for Hurkacz, after the Norwegian brushed apart Alejandro Tabilo 6-2, 6-4.
Rain then swept in through the early night, forcing the suspension of play with seventh- and ninth-seeds Rune and Grigor Dimitrov each one set to the great respectively.
Play will resume Thursday with Denmark’s Rune up a set and a break in opposition to Indian Sumit Nagal and Miami Open finalist Dimitrov main Serb Miomir Kecmanovic.
