Alexander Zverev has mastered his tricky opening hurdle at the Tennis Masters in Monte Carlo with ease. (SERVICE: Everything about tennis)
The German number one from Hamburg defeated the Italian Lorenzo Sonego, the most recent winner of the tournament in Cagliari, 6: 3, 6: 3 and made it to the round of 16.
Zverev, who is number five and had a walk-through in the first round, is now facing the Belgian David Goffin (No. 11).
“I am very happy with my first match on clay and am actually a bit surprised by my performance,” said Zverev, he was “not yet at 100 percent, but I will improve over the course of the tournament.”
Against Goffin, Zverev expects a “difficult match”, the Belgian feels “very comfortable on sand”. (the ATP world rankings)
Monte Carlo: Zverev defeats Sonego
Zverev failed in his first match at the tournament in Miami. In Monte Carlo, on the other hand, the 23-year-old appeared focused right from the start and made few mistakes.
It was also the first match this year on clay in which Zverev could rely on his strong serve. He achieved a total of six aces, and he also fended off seven of nine breakballs.
Novak Djokovic had previously sent a sign of strength on his first appearance after his ninth Australian Open triumph in February. (Calendar of the ATP season 2021)
The 33-year-old world number one from Serbia made it into the round of 16 with a 6: 4, 6: 2 against the 19-year-old Italian Jannik Sinner.
Djokovic had taken an almost two-month break after winning the title in Melbourne due to an abdominal muscle injury. Against the world number 22. Sinner he made a confident appearance and now meets the British Daniel Evans.