Djokovic Returns Tuesday In Monte Carlo; Seeds 6-0 Led By Zverev Domination, Berdych Comeback
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On the first full day of play at Monte Carlo, the seeds went 6-0 led by former finalist Tomas Berdcyh’s 3-set comeback win. Berdych, who made the final in 2015 losing to Novak Djokovic, dropped the first set before winning the next two to deny qualifier Alex Kuznetsov 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Berdych will await the winner of the Paire-Haas match scheduled for tomorrow.
Germany phenom Alexander Zverev rolled in his opener dominating veteran Andreas Seppi 6-1, 6-2. Zverev, who could meet Rafael Nadal in the third round, will face either Feliciano Lopez or Daniil Medvedev on Wednesday.
“I like playing on clay,” said Zverev. “It’s the surface I grew up on. In Europe, you play most of the season on clay. I actually don’t know what my favorite surface is, and I don’t actually have a least favorite surface. It more depends on how I play during the time. It more depends on which form I’m in, more than the surface.”
Other seeded winners included Spaniards Roberto Bautista Agut, Alberto Ramos-Vinolas and Pablo Carreno Busta along with Pablo Cuevas.
Kyle Edmund upended Dan Evans 7-5, 6-1 in the Battle of the Brits. Edmund now meets Nadal on Wednesday.
“It’s a good opportunity for me,” said Edmund of facing Nadal. “I’ve never played Rafa. I mean, this tournament, as well, is such a successful tournament for him, winning nine times. He obviously loves playing here, very comfortable conditions. So, for me, it will be a great opportunity.”
And Bernard Tomic struggles continued as the Australian fell to Diego Schwartzman 6-1, 7-6(3). It was Tomic’s sixth straight loss and his 10th in his last 12 matches.
On tap Tuesday, 2-time champion and Monte Carlo resident Novak Djokovic returns to ATP level tennis against French veteran Gilles Simon. Djokovic hasn’t won a title since Doha.
“The elbow is fine now. I’ve been training for the past couple of weeks, playing Davis Cup and making the transition to clay that’s very demanding for the body,” Djokovic said. “I was skeptical of how my elbow would react to the heavy balls on clay, but it’s been good so far,” said Djokovic. “I’ve paid a lot of attention to recovery since having to miss Miami and am now in shape to compete. My Davis Cup match went really well. It was my best serving match in the past six or seven months, so hopefully it can keep going well here.”
Simon is joined by Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Lucas Pouille and Jeremy Chardy.
TUESDAY MONTE CARLO SCHEDULE
COURT RAINIER III start 11:00 am
[11] L. Pouille (FRA) vs R. Harrison (USA)
[Q] A. Mannarino (FRA) vs [7] J. Tsonga (FRA)
G. Simon (FRA) vs [2] N. Djokovic (SRB)
N. Almagro (ESP) vs [10] D. Goffin (BEL)
COURT DES PRINCES start 11:00 am
G. Muller (LUX) vs [PR] T. Robredo (ESP)
B. Paire (FRA) vs [PR] T. Haas (GER)
[WC] B. Coric (CRO) vs [WC] J. Chardy (FRA)
J. Sousa (POR) vs [16] P. Cuevas (URU)
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