Blockx, Fonseca earn clutch debut wins in Monte-Carlo

Monte-Carlo

Blockx, Fonseca earn clutch debut wins in Monte-Carlo

Cerundolo downs three-time champ Tsitsipas; Rublev, Vacherot amongst Day 2 winners

April 06, 2026

Alexander Blockx and Joao Fonseca each loved spectacular debut outings on the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters on Monday afternoon, regardless of incomes contrasting victories.

The 20-year-old Blockx held his nerve for a 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 win over the previous World No. 10 Denis Shapovalov to achieve the second spherical of the clay-court ATP Masters 1000 occasion. The Belgian qualifier rallied from a 0/40 gap when serving for the match at 5-3 within the remaining set, saving 4 break factors in that recreation — together with a leaping backhand winner on the fourth — to seal victory after one hour, 46 minutes.

Blockx recorded his maiden ATP Tour win in Cincinnati final 12 months earlier than sealing his spot on the 20-and-under Subsequent Gen ATP Finals, the place he fell to Learner Tien within the remaining. The 6’4” powerhouse, who made his High 100 debut this January, will subsequent meet tenth seed Flavio Cobolli in Monte-Carlo.

Fonseca additionally got here up clutch in his first outing within the Principality on Monday. The 19-year-old Brazilian received 5 consecutive video games from 1-3 within the second set to defeat Gabriel Diallo 6-2, 6-3 and advance to the second spherical.

After coping with an harm and lack of rhythm at the beginning of the season, Fonseca displayed a few of his greatest tennis in Indian Wells and Miami, the place he competed towards Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz in consecutive tournaments. The No. 40 participant within the PIF ATP Rankings will proceed his Monte-Carlo quest towards Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech, who upset Karen Khachanov 7-5, 6-2.

“I’m very hyped to get my first win right here,” Fonseca stated after his maiden Lexus ATP Head2Head conflict with Diallo. “Clay is a floor that I like lots. I’m working lots on my physique. I’m pleased that I’m feeling nice once more, feeling wholesome, and again with the rhythm.”

Watch Prolonged Highlights of Day 2 motion in Monte-Carlo:

In different motion on Day 2 within the Principality, Francisco Cerundolo defeated three-time champion Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-5, 6-4. The Greek threatened a comeback after reeling off 4 video games from 0-4 down within the second set, however the Sixteenth-seeded Cerundolo held agency to e-book a gathering with Tomas Machac.

Czechs Machac and Jiri Lehecka each earned three-set wins on Tuesday. Machac fought previous Daniel Altmaier 6-4, 1-6, 6-3, whereas Miami finalist Lehecka downed qualifier Emilio Nava 7-6(1), 6-7(8), 6-2 after three hours, two minutes.

Andrey Rublev, who received his maiden Masters 1000 title in Monte-Carlo in 2024, opened his bid to reclaim the trophy with a 6-4, 1-6, 6-1 victory over Nuno Borges. He’ll meet Zizou Bergs, who downed Adrian Mannarino 6-4, 6-3.

Valentin Vacherot closed out motion on Courtroom Rainier III by igniting his residence crowd with a 5-7, 6-2, 6-1 victory over Juan Manuel Cerundolo. The Monegasque can now sit up for a gathering fourth seed and final 12 months’s runner-up Lorenzo Musetti.