Jannik Sinner's clay-court season got off to a smooth start. The world number 2 made a perfect debut at the Monte Carlo Masters, defeating French number 34 Hugo Humbert (who scored only six points in the second set) with a 6-3, 6-0 victory in 64 minutes , advancing to the round of 16, where he'll face either Argentina's Cerundolo or Czech Republic's Machac on Thursday.

The Italian is chasing his first major clay-court trophy. Last year, he lost the finals in Rome and Roland Garros to Alcaraz (his defeat in Paris was a stinging one, with three match points in his favor), and two years ago here in Monte Carlo, he was robbed in the semifinals by a bad call that would have led to a two-break lead in the third set against Tsitsipas. Another goal, already achievable here in Monte Carlo, is a return to the world No. 1 ranking : with Alcaraz "burning" his 1,000 points from last year, the South Tyrolean and the Spaniard are only 100 points behind. If they reach the final, the two would be battling for not only the title but also the No. 1 crown.

Matteo Berrettini also advanced (Bautista Agut retired at 4-0 for the Roman, who will now face Medvedev) and Flavio Cobolli (7-5, 2-6, 6-3 in Comesana, now facing Blockx) . Luciano Darderi, defeated 6-1 in the third set by Hurkacz, and Matteo Arnaldi, knocked out in straight sets by Garin, were eliminated.

(Unioneonline)

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