Grigor Dimitrov beat Monegasque wild card Valentin Vacherot 7-5 6-2 at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters in his first round match since returning to the top 10. Dimitrov has improved to 7-0 in opening round matches in 2024.
Vacherot started the first set with a break in the opening game, but Dimitrov broke straight back in the second game.
Dimitrov earned his second break in the 12th game in a tight first set. The Bulgarian player broke twice in the fourth and eighth games to close out the set on his first match point.
Dimitrov set up a second round match against either Miomir Kecmanovic or last Sunday’s Marrakesh winner Matteo Berrettini.
Dimitrov finished runner-up to Jannik Sinner in the final of the Miami Open.
“It was a difficult match. I am glad I kept on going. I am glad I kept on going. I know I was far away from my game, but I have other things I can do in moments like that and it helped me to step up a little bit and and that was enough”, said Dimitrov.
Stefanos Tsitsipas reached the second round after Laslo Djere was forced to retire from the match. Tsitsipas was leading 6-3 3-2 when Djere withdrew due to a right arm injury. Tsitsipas broke three times and hit 11 winners. The Greek player will take on either Nicolas Jarry or Tomas Martin Etcheverry. Tsitsipas has a win-loss record of 15-3 in Monte-Carlo.
“Things are looking good. I am hoping to go the same way. I really enjoyed getting a better consistency on my serve towards the end. I hope to keep mixing it up and coming up with fun plays”, said Tsitsipas.
Sumit Nagal came back from one set down to beat Matteo Arnaldi 5-7 6-2 6-3 in 2 hours and 37 minutes. Nagal has become the first player to win an ATP Masters 1000 match on clay since the series started in 1990. Nadal set up a second round clash against last year’s Monte-Carlo finalist Holger Rune.
Arnaldi broke serve in the sixth game to take a 4-2 lead, but Nadal broke straight back immediately in the seventh game. Nagal went down 15-40, as he was serving to stay in the set at 5-6. The Indian player fended off one break point, but Arnaldi converted his second chance with a crosscourt winner to seal the first set 7-5.
Nagal broke Arnaldi twice to open up a 4-1 lead in the second set, but Arnaldi pulled one break back in the seventh game. Nagal broke again immediately before serving out the second set 6-2.
Nagal earned an early in the third game of the decider, but Arnaldi pulled back on serve to draw level to 3-3. Nagal broke again in the seventh game and held on his serve to close out the third set 6-3.
Nagal beat Flavio Cobolli 6-2 6-3 and Facundo Diaz Acosta 7-5 2-6 6-2 to qualify for the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters. The Indian player is making his second appearance in an ATP Masters main draw.
Nagal qualified for the main draw of the Australian Open, where he upset Alexander Bublik in the first round. Nagal entered the main draw in Indian Wells at Indian Wells after Rafael Nadal pulled out of the tournament.
