Monte Carlo Masters 1000: Novak Djokovic’s triumphant return to the track

Novak Djokovic He’s back on track, after more than a month of inactivity, with a hard-fought victory. The Serbian, number one in the world, went from less to more and had to work harder than expected to beat the unknown Russian 7-6 (7-5) and 6-2 Ivan Gachov198th in the standings and coming from qualifying, on his debut in Monte Carlo Masters 1000one of the great tournaments that serves as a preparation for Roland Garros.

The world number one didn’t have much fun in the first set, in which his inactivity of the last few weeks was evident and he also had to struggle with the changing conditions. But in the second, helped in part by a decline from his rival, he manages to keep up and seal the passage to the round of 16, where he will clash with an Italian: Lorenzo Musetto21 of the ATP, or Luke Nardiemerged in the previous phase.

“It was probably, if you can call it that, a bad win,” said the Balkan champion at Monaco in 2013 and 2015. “I didn’t play my best tennis, especially in the first set. And honestly, I expected it to happen something like this, with a lot of wind… Training is different than playing a game on clay, no two shots are the same, what can happen is always a little unpredictable, in the second I increased my level of play. I’m satisfied with how I controlled my nerves in the important moments and managed to win both sets.”

It is worth mentioning that Djokovic had played his last match in early March when he lost against Daniel Medvedev in the semifinals of Dubai. then it was lost Indian wells AND You love mebecause he could not enter the United States because he was not vaccinated against the COVID-19.

Gakhov was the first to score the break, in the seventh game of the first set, making it 4-3. But the Serbian reacted immediately and recovered it in the following match, taking the first leg result ahead tiein which he needed three set points to close the partial 7-5.

More logical was the development of the second set, in which the young Russian no longer had the energy of the first, Djokovic broke serve twice (for 3-2 and 5-2) and ended up closing the match after a ‘hour 47’. minutes, in his second match point, having increased the chance of beating his rival in that last game.

“Brick dust is the surface to which I find it most difficult to adapt, to find the rhythm. Historically, throughout my career, I’ve always needed a week or two of clay tournaments to play the way I want to. Although I trained on this type of court for three weeks and felt good in training, it’s different in competition,” analyzed the man who aspires to become the greatest Grand Slam winner in history at Roland Garros.

If he wins the Paris tournament (May 28 to June 11), where he will have as main rivals Rafael Nadal AND Carlos Alcaraz (absent in Montecarlo), would reach 23 and break the tie with the Spaniard.

the Greek Stephen Tsitsipas, the second seed and winner of the last two editions, entered the third round barely breaking a sweat. It is that rival of hers, the Frenchman Benjamin Bonzihe retired after trailing 1-4 in the first set with left wrist problems.

The world number three will meet the Chilean in the round of 16 Nicholas Jarry (58°) or the Australian Alexei Popyrin (94th).

Meanwhile, the German Alexander Zverev16th in the standings, he signed a positive return to clay, a surface he hadn’t played on since his injury in the semifinals of last Roland Garros, when he had Nadal on the ropes, but he had to withdraw after breaking three ligaments in his right ankle.

This Tuesday, the German, former number two in the world and reigning Olympic champion, was the protagonist of a good comeback against the Kazakh Alexander Bublickwhich he beat 3-6, 6-2 and 6-4 in a duel awaiting the first round.

“He played very well tactically, he’s very intelligent, so I’m happy to pass,” said Zverev, who will contest a place in the round of 16 against the Spaniard. Robert Baptist Agut (29).

“Last year I played the best tennis of my life, especially at Roland Garros, now I have to get used to playing on the ground again, sliding, moving around. The mobility part of my game was the best thing about this match. Many the other things didn’t work out so much,” added the German.

Cerúndolo and Schwartzman, on the pitch this Wednesday

This Wednesday will once again see Argentinian action. Why Francis Cerundolo AND diego schwartzmannwho made it through their debut with good victories on Monday, will be looking for a place in the round of 16.

The oldest of the Cerúndolo, 33rd in the standings, will face the Italian Matthew Berrettini22, in the last round of the Court of Princesthe second most important field of the competition, about 12 in our country.

The 24-year-old from Buenos Aires has just signed one of the best victories of his career: 6-3 and 6-4 against the English Cameron Norie, seeded 11, playing at a very high level. Meanwhile, Berrettini beat the American 6-4, 6-2 Maxime Cressi. It will be the first duel between the two.

Schwartzman will also face an Italian, Jannik sinner, seventh favorite and one of the most talented youngsters on the circuit. They will clash in the second game of Court Rainier IIIthe main stage, around 8.

He smallRanked 37th, he beat the Belgian 6-4, 6-2 in the first round David Goffin (85th) and ended a series of seven consecutive defeats on clay (he hadn’t won since his debut in Bastad, in July). Now he will go to have another party against Sinner, who remained free in the initial round and who leads the history of direct matches 1-0 (victory in the Antwerp 2021 final).

The Argentine and the Italian – who have an excellent relationship off the pitch – formed a pair for the doubles, but couldn’t advance much. After surprising in the debut a Horace Zeballos and the Spanish Marcel Granollersthey fell in the second round 6-4 and 6-4 to the French Fabrice Martin and German Andrea Mies.