Andrey Rublev and Alexander Zverev both faced tough challenges in their opening matches at the Monte Carlo Masters but ultimately came out on top. Rublev, the fifth seed, had a first-round bye but found himself a set down against Spaniard Jaume Munar in the second round. However, the Russian bounced back to win the next two sets 6-2, 6-2 and secure his spot in the third round.
Meanwhile, Zverev got off to a slow start in his first-round match against Alexander Bublik, losing the opening set 3-6. However, the German star managed to find his rhythm and won the next two sets 6-2, 6-4 to advance to the second round. With both Rublev and Zverev facing early challenges in their clay-court season, they will be hoping to build on their victories and improve their form in the upcoming rounds.
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, last year’s runner-up, was not so fortunate, as he fell at the first hurdle. The Spaniard was defeated by French qualifier Lucas Pouille in a hard-fought three-set match. Pouille won 6-4, 6-7 (11), 7-5 to book his spot in the second round, while Davidovich Fokina’s tournament came to an end.
