Novak Djokovic beaten by Alejandro Tabilo in straight sets in first match of Monte Carlo Masters, Carlos Alcaraz recovers to down Francisco Cerundolo

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Novak Djokovic has been beaten in straight sets by Alejandro Tabilo in the second round of the Monte Carlo Masters after receiving a first-round bye. The Serb was in good form coming into the tournament having reached the final of the Miami Open in late March but was beaten 6-3, 6-4 by the world No. 32. The wait for a 100th ATP singles title goes on for Djokovic, who was without coach Andy Murray.

Highlights: Djokovic dumped out of Monte-Carlo Masters by Tabilo in straight sets

Video credit: SNTV

Novak Djokovic has been beaten in straight sets by Alejandro Tabilo in his first match of the Monte Carlo Masters.

After getting a first-round bye, the 37-year-old was beaten 6-3 6-4 by the Chilean, who will go on to play either Valentin Vacherot or Grigor Dimitrov in the last 16.

The defeat sees Djokovic’s wait for a 100th ATP Tour singles title go on, as he remains without a singles triumph since July 2023.

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The world No. 5 was without coach Andy Murray at the clay-court event and instead had brother Marko alongside him.

Djokovic said it was "never part of the agreement to work with Andy this week", with the Briton expected to return for the Madrid Open later this month.

The Serbian had been in good form coming into the tournament, having reached his first final of the season at the Miami Open in late March, where he lost to teenager Jakub Mensik, but was unable to carry his form from the hard courts to the clay.

Monte Carlo marked Djokovic's return to the red stuff for the first time since winning the Olympic gold medal in Paris last summer.

That tournament was held at Roland-Garros, where the French Open will get underway on May 25, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

When he heads back there next month, Djokovic will be going in search of a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title.

'The worst day' - Djokovic reacts to 'horrible' defeat to Tabilo in Monte Carlo

Video credit: SNTV

Alcaraz recovers to grab comeback win over Cerundolo after change in approach

Carlos Alcaraz came from a set down to beat Francisco Cerundolo and secure his first-ever win at the Monte Carlo Masters.

The 21-year-old fell to a sluggish 6-3 defeat in the first set, but subsequently rallied to win 12 of the next 13 games in the contest.

Alcaraz’s 3-6 6-0 6-1 victory over Cerundolo, which was wrapped up in one hour and 39 minutes, set up a third-round meeting with German qualifier Daniel Altmaier.

"I didn’t start well", said Alcaraz. "I made a lot of mistakes and I let him play inside the court, dominating the points.

"I just knew that I had to do something else, play more aggressively, and play my own tennis: drop shots, going to the net and more aggression.

"The most important change was the return. I tried to return closer to the line and push him."

The world No. 3, who was competing for the first time since a second-round defeat at the Miami Open to Belgium's David Goffin last month, clinched the game’s first break of serve, but went a set down after losing five of the next six games.

Alcaraz then stepped up in aggression, winning two of his three break points in Cerundolo's opening two service games, before completing a second-set whitewash.

The Spaniard, who was successful at Roland Garros and Olympic runner-up on clay last year, then closed out the victory with another five-game winning streak.

Alcaraz, who is building up to the French Open at the end of May, added in his post-match interview that clay was currently his favourite surface to play on.

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