It was another solid 8-1 day for seeds at the Monte Carlo Masters on Wednesday.

French Open finalist Casper Ruud continued his clay run topping Botic Van De Zandschulp in straights 7-5, 7-6(7-1).

“It is never easy to start at a new tournament and against a player I have lost to before,” Ruud said to the ATP. “Also more recently in Miami this year, which was a tough three-setter. I was a …

It was a perfect day for former champions and seeds Tuesday at the Monte Carlo Masters. Seeds finished 7-0 led by Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas, who both made their 2023 clay debuts.

Djokovic, a 2-time Monte Carlo winners, advanced past qualifier Ivan Gakhov 7-6(7-5), 6-2.

Djokovic did drop serve going down early 4-3 but immediately got back to level, then took the breaker and rolled in the second. The World No. …

Day two of the Monte Carlo Masters saw two former US Open champions win and another fall out.

Stan Wawrinka rallied from a set down to defeat Tallon Griekspoor 5-7, 6-3, 6-4. The 38-year-old Wawrinka is a former champion in Monte Carlo.

“It was really important to stay calm with myself,” Wawrinka said to the ATP. “In the first round you need to find your game. The first match on clay is …

Novak Djokovic leads the way in a solid Monte Carlos Masters field. The Serb, who missed both March masters, opens his season at this level and on this surface at his second home where he has won the title twice.

In pursuit is 2-time defending champion Stefanos Tsitsipas, Miami winner Daniil Medvedev and the Estoril champion Casper Ruud who may have righted his ship.

But the Spaniards are not playing. Rafael Nadal …

Casper Ruud got back in the win column for the first time this summer topping No. 6 seed Miomir Kecmanovic 6-2, 7-6(7-3) to win the Estoril title.

“I feel great. It’s my first time in Estoril and first time lucky, I guess,” Ruud said on court. “To be here with the trophy this Sunday is very special. It’s been quite some months since I won my last title, so it’s very …

After a disappointing first three months, Casper Ruud is back in a final for the first time this year. The 2-time Slam finalist in 2022 reached the Estoril title match today outlasting 26-year-old Frenchman Quentin Halys in a thriller 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(7-2).

“It was another great match, a long match, a close and exciting match,” said Ruud. “I’m just very happy that it went in my favor. It’s just some points …

Ons Jabeur beat the rains and reached her third straight Charleston final on Sunday topping the 3rd-seeded Daria Kasatkina 7-5, 7-5.

In the break-filled affair, Jabeur got the upper hand. There were 12 total breaks but the Tunisian got the better of it breaking to win both sets.

The Russian Kasatkina got on top early which eventually got her to set points serving for it at 5-4, 40-15. But Jabeur got it …

It’s a dream semifinal line-up at the first big clay stop of 2023 in Charleston.

Top seed and American No. 1 Jessica Pegula led the way ousting No. 12 seed Paula Badosa 6-3, 7-6(8-6).

Pegula dropping only nine points on first serve. She grabbed a late break in the first and a quick break to start the second but failed to serve it out.

Pegula has won both of tour-level head-to-head contests …

In Estoril, Portugal, at the Millennium Estoril Open in quarterfinals action top seeded Casper Ruud steamrolled (22y,33r) the 5th-seeded Sebastian Baez 6-3, 6-0.

Ruud, the 2-time Grand Slam finalist, was broken once whole breaking serve five times in the match.

Ruud took the final nine games of the contest and won the last seven points.

“It was great, particularly the second set, it was a great level by me,” Ruud said. “Very happy …

The Monte Carlos Masters will be missing two huge stars as both Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz have withdrawn from the first big clay event of 2023.

Nadal, an 11-time champion, is still under duress from a left hip issue he suffered during the Australian Open.

“Unfortunately I am still not ready to compete and will miss one of those special tournaments I always love to play,” Nadal said. “Monte Carlo …

The WTA clay season opens with a loaded field in Charleston this week. Headline in South Carolina are five former champions plus top seeds Jessica Pegula and Ons Jabeur. Jabeur has made the finals the last two years.

Here’s the full list of top seeds: 1 Jessica Pegula, 2 Ons Jabeur, 3 Daria Kasatkina, 4 Belinda Bencic, 5 Veronika Kudermetova, 6 Victoria Azarenka, 7 Ekaterina Alexandrova, 8 Magda Linette, 9 Madison …

With an earlier date than last year when it was held after Monte Carlo, Estoril officially opens the European red clay season, and the field features two Top 10 talents: Casper Ruud and Hubert Hurkacz.

After a miserable 5-6 start to 2023, Ruud will hope to get back on track on his favorite surface, especially win a ton of points coming off including the French Open final.

The Norwegian gets a first …

Americans hold the Top 5 seeds at the clay event in Houston this week.

Top seed Frances Tiafoe leads the way followed by Australian Open semifinalist Tommy Paul and former champion John Isner.

Top seeds are: 1 Frances Tiafoe, 2 Tommy Paul, 3 Brandon Nakashima, 4 John Isner, 5 JJ Wolf, 6 Jason Kubler, 7 Marcos Giron, 8 Tomas Martin Etcheverry, .

No. 1 Tiafoe is projected to meet 6 Kubler in the …

Daniil Medvedev cruised to his first Miami Masters title Sunday defeating Jannik Sinner 7-5, 6-3.

Medvedev collects his 5th Masters trophy, 19th career title and his fourth in his last five events. It’s his 24th win in his last 25 matches.

“I’m really happy. Today was a tough match. It was probably the hottest day and the most humid during the day,” Medvedev said. “It was not easy conditions. I don’t know …

In a battle of Wimbledon champions, the veteran Petra Kvitova got over on the reigning queen Elena Rybakina 7-6(16-14), 6-2 to win her first Miami Masters title.

The 33-year-old Kvitova collected her 30th career title and ninth at the WTA 1000 level.

“I think the experience today played a good role in my mind, to be honest,” said Kvitova. “I played so many finals. I know I can play well in the …