Novak Djokovic made a successful return to clay at the Monte Carlo Masters, defeating Roman Safiullin 6-1, 6-2 in the second round. Djokovic, the world's top-ranked player, displayed a dominant performance, not facing a single break point during the match. Despite his strong showing, Djokovic struggled to convert break points, only capitalizing on five out of 19 opportunities.
This tournament marks Djokovic's first appearance on clay since his victory at the French Open last year, where he secured his 23rd major title. Although he added another major title at the U.S. Open, Djokovic fell in the semifinals of this year's Australian Open. The Serbian star is now aiming for his first title of 2024.
Recently parting ways with coach Goran Ivanisevic, Djokovic demonstrated his skills on the court with a solid performance against Safiullin. His well-executed drop shots and strong serves helped him secure a comfortable victory.
Looking ahead, Djokovic is set to face either Arthur Fils of France or Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the next round. The Serbian player is eyeing his third Monte Carlo title, with his last victory in the tournament dating back to 2015.
Meanwhile, other players also made their mark at the tournament, with Alexander Zverev of Germany advancing to the third round after defeating Sebastian Ofner. Notable wins were also recorded by Hubert Hurkacz of Poland and Alex de Minaur of Australia in their respective matches.
As the competition progresses, fans can anticipate exciting matchups, including the clash between Stefanos Tsitsipas and Tomas Martin Etcheverry. With top players like Jannik Sinner and Andrey Rublev in the mix, the Monte Carlo Masters promises thrilling tennis action in the days to come.
Stay tuned for more updates on the tournament as the world's best players compete for glory on the clay courts of Monte Carlo.
