At the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters 2023 there were sensational results during day 2. Stan Wawrinka opens witha great surprise: the Swiss tennis player beat the Dutch Griekspoor in three sets, with the final result of 5-7, 6 -3, 6-4.
The Grand Slam champion put on a difficult and painful comeback in all sections of the match, also due to an opponent who knew how to cling and lift when he was in moments of difficulty. The desire, however, is not enough and the Swiss champion triumphs in the third and decisive set, after wasting five match points available in the last game.
Staying on the subject of Grand Slam champions, closing the doors of Court Rainier III is an amarcord Dominic Thiem. The US Open champion allows only five games to Richard Gasquet in a clear 6-1, 6-4. The Frenchman didn’t show his best condition, but the Austrian showed a level of tennis not seen for a long time: his backhand remains his best shot, but the confidence he regained on the forehand gave him the win in the first round of an ATP Masters 1000, which was missing from Rome 2021.
Among the Grand Slam champions only Andy Murray falls. He returned to the Monaco red clay after five years: in 2017 his presence at the Monte-Carlo tournament. An unhappy comeback for the British tennis player, who was swept off the court by an excellent Alex De Minaur: 6-1, 6-3.
Back to victory Diego Schwartzman, who beats another freshly returning player David Goffin with the result of 6-4, 6-2. The Argentine will be Jannik Sinner’s opponent in the second round. Among the results of the day, there is the defeat of the number 11 seed Cameron Norrie, defeated by an excellent Francisco Cerundolo, who finds the clay surface a congenial one for him, 6-3, 6-4.
Wild card Jack Draper wins, beating Sebastian Baez in two with the final result of 6-3, 7-5. Qualified Gakhov advances to the second round, defeating McDonald in three sets (7-6, 2-6, 6-3). The Russian will be Novak Djokovic’s first opponent in the Principality tournament.
