M 1000 MONACO by Leo Canaparo
World number one Novak Djokovic made a rusty start to his clay-court season, defeating qualifier Ivan Gakhov 7-6(5), 6-2 at the Monte Carlo Masters on Tuesday.
The two-time Monte Carlo champion had not played since losing to Daniil Medvedev in the semifinals of the Dubai Championships five weeks ago, which ended the Australian Open champion’s 20-match winning streak.
Djokovic, who suffered an opening-round exit last year in the Principality, struggled with consistency in the first set and took time to adjust to the slow surface. However, he played more aggressively in the second set, broke for 3-2, and never looked back to reach the third round.
In the next round, Djokovic will face either Lorenzo Musetti or Luca Nardi.
“I have not played my best, particularly in the first set,” said Djokovic, who saved three of the four break points he faced. “All in all, I’m just pleased with the way I held my nerves in important moments.”
Stefanos Tsitsipas, who is aiming for a third consecutive title at the Country Club, advanced to the third round after Benjamin Bonzi retired due to a wrist injury just 22 minutes into their match, with the two-time defending champion leading 4-1.
Alexander Zverev also began his clay season with a win, but had to come from a set down to beat Alexander Bublik 3-6, 6-2, 6-4.
The 13th-seeded German was playing on clay for the first time since a right ankle injury forced him to retire in the French Open semifinals against Rafael Nadal last year.