Djokovic, Nadal Off The Mark In Monte Carlo Masters

  Djokovic, Nadal Off The Mark In Monte Carlo Masters By Admin Novak Djokovic swept past promising Italian teenager Jannik Sinner 6-4, 6-2 in Monte Carlo on Wednesday on the Serbian world No 1's first appearance since claiming the Australian Open in February. And the man he is seeded to meet in the final, Rafael Nadal, encountered even less resistance in brushing aside Federico Delbonis 6-1, 6-2 on his delayed return after injury since losing in the quarterfinals in Melbourne. Sinner, 19, shot to prominence by making it into this month's Miami Open final. The world number 22 had seen off Spain's Albert Ramos-Vinolas in straight sets 6-3, 6-4 at this Masters 1000 event to book his first ever date with Djokovic. But it proved a one-sided contest at the Monte Carlo Country Club, with Djokovic sweeping into the next round in one hour and 34 minutes. Later on Wednesday, Nadal took just 81 minutes to send world number 87 Delbonis packing, with Grigor Dimitrov waiting for him in the next round. Nadal is in the hunt for his 12th title in the Principality ahead of his pursuit of a 14th French Open crown at Roland Garros next month and what would be a record 21st Grand Slam. The Mallorcan was in action three days after practising with Daniil Medvedev, the Russian second seed who was forced to withdraw after testing positive for Covid-19 on Monday. The world No 3 was forced to skip a number of scheduled tournaments since Australia with a lingering back problem. But in his first match since defeat to Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Australian Open quarterfinals, Nadal struck 16 winners to beat Argentina's Delbonis. Fifth seed Alexander Zverev eased past Lorenzo Sonego 6-3, 6-3, while Miami semifinalist Andrey Rublev made short work of Italian qualifier Salvatore Caruso, winning 6-3, 6-2. Fabio Fognini, the 2019 champion, defeated Australia's Jordan Thompson 6-3, 6-3 to also reach the last 16. The tournament was not held last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.