Zverev Wins Battle of Next Generation Players

In a first-round contest between two #NextGen 18-year-old stars, Alexander Zverev defeated Andrey Rublev 6-1, 6-3 on Monday at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters.

World No. 54 Zverev made his Monte-Carlo debut in style, advancing in one hour as he won 75 per cent of his service points and broke No. 157-ranked Rublev four times. Zverev goes on to face seventh seed David Ferrer.

“We’ve known each other since we were 11 years old,” said Zverev of Rublev. “We’ve been playing for such a long time on different levels of the tour. Under-14 tournaments, ITF tournaments and now this is the first time we played in a professional event. It’s nice to see how we both have grown really. So I think that was just the first one of many.”

Looking ahead to the clash with Ferrer, Zverev said, “It’s a great test for me. I think he’s one of the toughest competitors on clay. I think he’s been playing great on clay his whole career. He’s been a solid Top 10 player for 10 years now. It’s going to be a great match. I’m looking forward to it.”

Zverev has jumped 29 places in the Emirates ATP Rankings since the start of the year, thanks to compiling an 11-8 match record and strong showings in Montpellier, where he reached the semi-finals, and Indian Wells, where he held match point against Rafael Nadal in a thrilling fourth-round match.

Great Britain’s Aljaz Bedene scored his first win at the Monte-Carlo Country Club as he dismissed Lukas Rosol 6-2, 6-3 in just over one hour. The No. 60-ranked Bedene earned a second-round clash with eight-time champion Rafael Nadal.

“At the moment I’m enjoying playing tennis,” said Bedene. “It’s going to be against Rafa, who I respect. He’s one of the best clay-courters. It’s going to be fun. Definitely if I bring my best tennis, I’m not the favourite, but I can stand a chance.”

A pair of Spaniards advanced as Guillermo Garcia-Lopez defeated Thomaz Bellucci 7-5, 6-1 and 14th seed Roberto Bautista Agut beat Albert Ramos-Vinolas 6-4, 7-6(4).