(Monte-Carlo) Alexander Zverev started his season on clay with a hard time beating Alexander Bublik 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 in the first round of the Monte-Carlo Tennis Masters on Tuesday.

The 13th-seeded German hit clay for the first time since injuring his right ankle during his French Open semi-final match against the Spaniard last year Rafael Nadal.

Zverev said it took him time to “heal the psychological wounds” associated with the incident and relearn how to slide on the playing surface.

Despite this, Zverev only committed nine unforced errors and landed 21 game winners on the Rainier III court, setting the stage for a second-round duel against Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut.

Grigor Dimitrov, who reached the semi-finals of this tournament on two occasions, also continued his journey after beating American Ben Shelton 6-1, 3-6, 6-3. The 20-year-old tennis player was playing his first career match in Monte Carlo and he did not disappoint, challenging Dimitrov a few times during the duel which continued for more than two hours.

Dimitrov will face the Czech Jiri Lehecka in the next round.

Meanwhile, world No. 1 Novak Djokovic will start his season on clay when he takes on Russia’s Ivan Gakhov, the world’s 198th racquet, later today. The 35-year-old Serbian hasn’t played since losing to Russian Daniil Medvedev in the semi-finals of the Dubai Tennis Championships five weeks ago — a defeat that ended the defending Australian Open champion’s 20-game winning streak.

Stefanos Tsitsipas, who will covet a third consecutive title in Monegasque territory, will have an appointment with the Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi.

Rafael Nadal, the second world player Carlos Alcaraz and the Quebecer Félix Auger-Aliassime (no. 7) have all skipped this tournament.