Rublev, Zverev battle through as Davidovich Fokina falls

Andrey Rublev and Alexander Zverev both survived dropping a set to advance in the Monte Carlo Masters on Tuesday as last year’s runner-up Alejandro Davidovich Fokina fell at the first hurdle.

Fifth-seeded Rublev, recipient of a first-round bye, rallied from a set down to defeat Spaniard Jaume Munar 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 in their second-round tie.

Germany’s Alexander Zverev made a hesitant start to his clay-court season before seeing off Kazakh Alexander Bublik 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 in the first round.

But Spaniard Davidovich Fokina fell 6-2, 6-2 to ninth seed Karen Khachanov.

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Rublev, a losing finalist in 2021, broke Munar’s serve six times and hit 36 winners to win in two hours and 12 minutes.