In Monte Carlo, Djokovic triumphs over Russian player ranked in the second hundred of ATP rating.

Djokovic defeated the Russian from the second hundred of the ATP rankings in Monte Carlo

The first racket of the world in the second round of the Masters series tournament defeated Ivan Gakhov in straight sets. The 26-year-old Russian played in the main draw of such a major tournament for the first time in his career.

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Russian tennis player Ivan Gakhov failed to reach the third round of the ATP Masters tournament in Monte Carlo.

The Russian, who made it to the main draw through the qualification, lost in the second round to Serb Novak Djokovic with a score of 6:7 (5:7), 2:6.

The next opponent of Djokovic will be the winner of the pair Luca Nardi (Italy) – Lorenzo Musetti (Italy).

Gakhov is 26 years old, now he is 198th in the ATP rankings. For the first time in his career, the Russian played in the main draw at the Masters series tournament. In qualifying, he defeated the French Adrin Mannarino (47th racket of the world) and Luka van Asch (88), in the first round he was stronger than the American Mackenzie McDonald (52).

In early April, Gakhov won his first title at the Challenger series tournament in Girona. After the tournament in Monte Carlo, he will become at least the 161st racket of the world, which will be the best result in his career for the Russian.

Djokovic, the first racket of the world, played the first match in a month. The U.S. authorities denied a Serbian special permission to enter the country due to the lack of a COVID-19 vaccination, so the Serb missed the Masters in Indian Wells and Miami.

The tournament in Monte Carlo will end on April 16th. The prize fund of the competition is €5.7 million. The Masters series is second in importance only to the Grand Slam and the ATP Finals.