Monte-Carlo Masters: Top seed Djokovic moves into last 16

Serb Novak Djokovic, the top seed, advanced to the last 16 of the Monte-Carlo Masters by defeating Russian qualifier Ivan Gakhov 7-6 (5), 6-2 at Monte-Carlo Country Club on Tuesday.

It was the world No 1’s first match on tour since reaching the Dubai semi-finals in February, having missed the Sunshine Double in the USA due to his Covid vaccination status.

Djokovic is a two-time champion in Monte-Carlo, but his titles there are some time ago – 2013 and 2015. If he manages to win the trophy this week, he will be the oldest Monte-Carlo champion of the Open Era, exceeding the age of 2019 champion Fabio Fognini.

Djokovic, ranked No 1, will face the winner of the match between qualifier Luca Nardi and No 16 seed Lorenzo Musetti next.

Gakhov, ranked No 198, won against American Mackenzie McDonald (7-6 (6), 2-6, 6-3) in the previous round of the Monte-Carlo tournament.

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Monte-Carlo Masters, other second-round results (Monte-Carlo Country Club, clay, EUR 5.779.335, most recent results first):

• Dominic Thiem vs. Holger Rune
• Francisco Cerundolo vs. Matteo Berrettini
• Taylor Fritz vs. Stan Wawrinka
• Daniil Medvedev vs. Lorenzo Sonego
• Grigor Dimitrov vs. Jiri Lehecka
• Diego Schwartzman vs. Jannik Sinner
• Luca Nardi vs. Lorenzo Musetti
• Nicolas Jarry vs. Alexei Popyrin
• Botic van de Zandschulp vs. Casper Ruud
• Alex De Minaur vs. Jan-Lennard Struff
• Roberto Bautista Agut vs. Alexander Zverev
• Benjamin Bonzi vs. Stefanos Tsitsipas
• Hubert Hurkacz vs. Jack Draper: tuesday
• Andrey Rublev (5) beat Jaume Munar: 4-6, 6-2, 6-2