The third day of the 2024 Rolex Monte Carlos Masters is full, and Novak Djokovic returned to motion with a sophisticated efficiency in opposition to Roman Safiullin.
The play was delayed after heavy morning rain, which created sluggish, damp circumstances, however Djokovic took to his job shortly, creating not less than one break level in each return sport and recording victory in only one hour and ten minutes.
There have been equally swift victories for Alex de Minaur, Seb Korda and Sascha Zverev, all progressing in straight-set matches that lasted simply over an hour.
Nonetheless, the day’s greatest story didn’t contain hanging a tennis ball as Carlos Alcaraz withdrew from the event as a consequence of a pronator teres damage in his proper forearm.
I first discovered of the Spaniard’s challenge over the weekend after he lower a few of his practices brief, so seeing his withdrawal wasn’t an enormous shock.
Lorenzo Sonego will exchange him within the draw, and he faces Felix Auger Aliassime within the thirty-two spherical. Not unhealthy for a fortunate loser!
You possibly can see the complete outcomes from day three under, choose highlights, and Wednesday’s scheduled matches.
Day Three 2024 Monte Carlo Masters Spherical of 64 & 32 Outcomes
Winner
Loser
Scoreline
Novak Djokovic (1)
Roman Safiullin
6-1 6-2
Alexander Zverev (4)
Sebastian Ofner
6-3 6-4
Hubert Hurkacz (8)
Jack Draper
6-4 3-6 7-6(2)
Alex de Minaur (11)
Stan Wawrinka (WC)
6-3 6-0
Lorenzo Musetti (23)
Arthur Fils
6-3 7-5
Roberto Bautista Agut (Q)
Facundo Diaz Acosta (LL)
6-2 6-4
Tomas Martin Etcheverry
Nicolas Jarry
6-4 7-5
Jan-Lennard Struff
Borna Coric
7-6(2) 6-1
Miomir Kecmanovic
Matteo Berrettini (WC)
6-3 6-1
Sebastian Korda
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
6-1 6-2
Gael Monfils (WC)
Aleksandar Vukic
7-6(7) 6-3 7-5
Zhizhen Zhang
Marcos Giron
6-4 3-6 6-3
Djokovic Demolishes Safiullin
With 2024 being the yr of Sinner, a lot of the speak round Djokovic has been concerning the negatives and strategies his profession is on the slide.
Nonetheless, that speak is way too untimely, and the Serb delivered a little bit of a masterclass in his 6-1 6-2 demolition of Roman Safiullin in his first match for the reason that loss in Indian Wells.
En path to victory, Djokovic created nineteen breakpoints with out going through one on-serve and received 69% of 2nd serve return factors in a wonderful show.
When you can’t learn an excessive amount of into the win as Safiullin is way more proficient on onerous courts than the crushed brick, it sends a message that his sport is on the up after a considerably lacklustre begin to the season, by Djokovic’s lofty requirements anyway.
I’m more than happy, I believe even the video games that I misplaced I had break factors in these video games. It’s a actually nice first match in the beginning of the clay season. It has at all times been a bit bit up and down. Final yr as properly, I began off properly at this event and the second match I misplaced, so I hope to keep up this rhythm. I’ve a day tomorrow of coaching, and I hope to return out in a couple of days with the identical perspective and high quality of tennis. Djokovic on his spectacular win over Safiullin.
Zverev Masters Ofner
Sascha Zverev began confidently in his adopted hometown. He superior to the final sixteen with a 6-3 6-4 win in opposition to Sebastian Ofner.
The German now has a 4-0 file in opposition to the Austrian of their head-to-head, and whereas Ofner performed properly, it was comparatively plain crusing for the fifth seed, who dropped serve simply as soon as when he served for the match at 5-2 within the second set.
Sascha will face Tsitsipas or Etcheverry, who play tomorrow within the final sixteen on Thursday.
Different Matches of Observe
De Minaur Mauls Wawrinka: A troublesome loss for Stan, who struggled massive time within the sluggish, damp circumstances as De Minaur dealt with his ball with ease to maneuver via 6-3 6-0. The Stan from a couple of years again would manhandle somebody of De Minaurs ilk, so it wasn’t enjoyable to observe.
Kecmanovic Ends Berrettini’s Run: Matteo Berrettini re-announced himself on tour by successful the title in Marrakech final weekend, however he ran out of gasoline in opposition to Miomir Kecmanovic, who moved up 2-0 within the head-to-head with a 6-3 6-1 victory.
Korda Makes Gentle Work of Davidovich Fokina: Seb Korda dispatched 2022 finalist Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-1, 6-2, and he’ll meet Jannik Sinner within the second spherical.
Hurkacz Hauls Himself Previous Draper: The Estroil champion was pushed by Jack Draper, finally prevailing 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(2) after two hours and 24 minutes.
Struff Sinks Coric: Damp circumstances are perfect for the big-hitting German’s energy sport, as he can nonetheless hit via the courtroom even when the balls are heavy. He dispatched Coric 7-6(2) 6-1.
Monfils Vaults Previous Vukic: There’s nonetheless loads of struggle left in La Monf as he recovered from a double break within the third set in opposition to the fortunate loser Aleksandar Vukic, who was drafted in on the final doable minute. Nothing is ever easy with Monfils, however you already know he’ll play properly in back-to-wall eventualities, and he started firing winners from 1-4 all the way down to get well to a 6-7 (7), 6-3, 7-5 win.
Monte Carlo Masters 2024 Day 3 Spherical of 32 Matches
Alexei Popryin vs Andrey Rublev (6)
Sebastian Korda vs Jannik Sinner (2)
Gael Monfils (WC) vs Daniil Medvedev (4)
Holger Rune (7) vs Summit Nagal (Q)
Alex de Minaur (11) vs Tallon Griekspoor
Tomas Martin Etcheverry vs Stefanos Tsitsipas (12)
Alejandro Tabilo vs Casper Ruud (8)
Miomir Kecmanovic vs Grigor Dimitrov (9)
Karen Khachanov (15) vs Francisco Cerundolo
Hubert Hurkacz (10) vs Roberto Bautista Agut (Q)
Lorenzo Sonego (LL) vs Felix Auger-Aliassime
Zhizhen Zhang vs Ugo Humbert (14)
