(Monte-Carlo) Daniil Medvedev made short work of Lorenzo Sonego, ousting him 6-3, 6-2, allowing him to qualify for the round of 16 at the Monte-Carlo Tennis Masters. Carl.
The Russian is invincible lately; he has won 25 of his last 26 encounters en route to claiming four titles. Additionally, the tournament’s third seed improved his career record to 2-0 against the Italian, having capitalized on his retirement at the Adelaide 1 tournament earlier this year.
“I’m happy with my quality of play,” said Miami Masters winner Medvedev. I had fun. They say it takes time to find the rhythm on clay. But precisely, I find that there is no rhythm. Even when you have the right timing, you can be surprised by a false bounce. We must make do. »
This victory, acquired after an hour and 28 minutes on Monaco clay, thus set the stage for a duel in the next round against the German Alexander Zverev. The tournament’s 13th seed beat Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut 6-4, 6-4 earlier on Wednesday.
“I think it’s the first time we’re going to meet on clay,” said Medvedev, who is 7-6 in his career against the German. We have always fought great battles, and we know each other well. It will be interesting. »
Elsewhere, Casper Ruud worked hard before beating Botic van de Zandschulp 7-5, 7-6 (1) in the second round.
Ruud, the fourth seed in the tournament, sweated profusely for two hours and 15 minutes on Monaco clay before overcoming the Dutchman, 31st racket in the world. This victory also allowed him to narrow the gap in their career duels to 3-2.
The Norwegian, who was a finalist at the French Open last year, proved to be slightly more effective than his opponent on serve. Moreover, he was a little more opportunistic than his rival. Ruud was thus broken four times in eight occasions, while van de Zandschulp gave up his serve five times in 13 chances.
Ruud, who won the Estoril tournament earlier this year, will now face Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff in the round of 16. The latter earned his ticket to the next round after upsetting the 14th seed, Australian Alex de Minaur, 6-3, 6-2.
“It’s never easy to start a new tournament against a player I’ve lost to before,” said Ruud, who lost to his Dutch opponent in Miami last month. Sometimes it’s difficult to face a player who recently beat you, but in this case I’m happy because I felt like I didn’t give my all in our last game in Miami . »
After struggling with his consistency at the start of the season, after enjoying a stunning campaign in 2022, Ruud has found his bearings on his favored surface.
“It was wonderful last week in Estoril,” admitted Ruud. I was very comfortable. Today was a good game at times, but I also looked a little rusty. The fact remains that I can draw a lot of positive points (from this match) to build my game for the rest of the tournament. »
Among the other winners on Wednesday are the Italians Jannik Sinner (no 7) and Lorenzo Musetti (no 16), the Russian Karen Khachanov (no 9), as well as the Chilean Nicolas Jarry and the Czech Jiri Lehecka. Musetti will have an appointment in the next round with the Serbian Novak Djokovic, world number 1.
Dane Holger Rune (no 6) and American Taylor Fritz (no 8) also triumphed late in the program, as did Italian Matteo Berrettini, who beat Argentinian Francisco Cerundolo 5-7, 7-6 (1 ) and 6-4.
Rafael Nadal, the second world player Carlos Alcaraz and the Quebecer Félix Auger-Aliassime (no. 7) have all skipped this tournament.
The Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas is the double reigning champion of the event.