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Djokovic subdues Sinner, Nadal dominant in Monte Carlo

  • Matt Trollope

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal showed few signs of rust in their first outings at the Monte Carlo Masters on Wednesday, despite not having played a match since the Australian Open.

World No.1 Djokovic took his 2020 win-loss record to a perfect 10-0 with a straight-sets win over Jannik Sinner, before Nadal dropped just three games in a dominant display against Federico Delbonis.

DRAW: Monte Carlo Masters men's singles

Also moving through to the last 16 in Monte Carlo were fifth seed Alexander Zverev, No.6 seed Andrey Rublev and defending champion Fabio Fognini, who all won in straight sets.

Dan Evans beat Miami Open champion Hubert Hurkacz 6-4 6-1 to set up a meeting with Djokovic. 

Djokovic, a Monte Carlo champion in 2013 and 2015, went down an early break against Sinner in the first set before finding his range, reeling off four straight games to take a 5-2 lead.

He then went ahead 4-1 in the second set before completing a 6-4 6-2 triumph over the Italian teenager, who recently appeared in the Miami Open final. 

“I have to be satisfied considering I think I had a tough draw for the first round, playing Sinner, who is in form, who is striking the ball very well. I knew it was going to be a challenge,” the reigning Australian Open champion said.

“I walked into the court with the right intensity, right focus. First maybe three, four games I was still feeling maybe not as comfortable hitting the ball. Then I started to work my way in the match.”

"A positive start" for Nadal

Whereas Djokovic required 94 minutes to see off Sinner, Nadal needed just 80 to brush qualifier Delbonis aside 6-1 6-2.

This week, Nadal is aiming for a record-extending 12th Monte Carlo title as well as a 36th ATP Masters trophy, which would see him equal Djokovic with the most Masters titles of all time. 

Nadal will face Grigor Dimitrov for a place in the quarterfinals after the Bulgarian beat Jeremy Chardy 7-6(3) 6-4.

“I think I just really played a solid match. Nothing unbelievable, but nothing wrong. Just a solid match, a positive start. I think I did what I had to do today,” said Nadal, whose last outing was a five-set quarterfinal loss to Stefanos Tsitsipas at AO 2021.

“I think I had great practice sessions for the last three, four weeks. I feel in good shape, honestly. In terms of physically and mentally, I'm enjoying being on the tour.”

In another notable result, Casper Ruud beat No.7 seed Diego Schwartzman 6-3 6-3 for his first win over the Argentine in five attempts. 

It sets up a meeting with ATP Marbella champion Pablo Carreno Busta, who took his winning streak to six with a 6-2 6-3 victory over Karen Khachanov.

Other winners on Wednesday were ninth seed Roberto Bautista Agut, 11th seed David Goffin, No.16 seed Cristian Garin, Filip Krajinovic and wildcard Lucas Pouille, who ousted Australian qualifier Alexei Popyrin to win back-to-back matches for the first time since October 2019.