World no. 6 Andrey Rublev made a winning start at the Monte Carlo Masters. The Russian lost the opener against Jaume Munar before raising his level and earning a 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 win in two hours and 15 minutes. Andrey celebrated his 250th ATP victory, becoming the eighth player from his country to achieve that.
Rublev served at 44% and faced eight break points. He denied five and grabbed six return games from ten opportunities to control the pace in sets two and three. Rublev fired 36 winners and 34 unforced errors, overpowering the rival’s 15-10 ratio.
Nothing separated them in the shortest and mid-range exchanges, with Andrey taking charge in the most extended rallies. The Russian made a better start and broke the Spaniard in the encounter’s opening game. Rublev served well in games two and four to open a 3-1 gap with a powerful serve.
Munar found the rhythm on the return in game six and seized the third break chance with a drop shot winner to lock the result at 3-3.
Andrey Rublev defeated Jaume Munar in the Monte Carlo second round.
Andrey saved a break point in the eighth game and leveled the score at 4-4 after three deuces.
The Spaniard pressured him again in game ten and claimed an extended rally to deliver his second break and wrap up the set 6-4 after 54 minutes. Rublev raised his level in the second set and earned an early break with a smash winner in the first game.
The Russian held at 30 in the second game with a forehand winner and cracked a backhand down the line return winner in the next one for a break at love and 3-0. Firing from both wings, Andrey landed a forehand down the line winner in the fifth game to secure his third straight break and serve for the set at 5-0.
Munar avoided a bagel with a break in game six and reduced the deficit to 5-2. Andrey served for the set for the second time in game eight and held at 30 to wrap it up and introduce a decider. Jaume lost the ground behind the initial shot and sprayed a backhand error in the third game to find himself 2-1 behind.
Rublev produced one good hold after another and moved 4-2 up and closer to the finish line. The Russian broke the rival’s resistance with another return game and served for the victory at 5-2. Andrey saved a break point with a volley winner at the net and moved over the top with a service winner.
