Top 5 Photos 4/14: Nadal, Djokovic cruise in Monaco



Rafael Nadal on playing Grigor Dimitrov

The world's top players are in action and made quite the return in Monte Carlo. Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic both put on impressive and dominate displays to get their clay season up and running.

These are the Top 5 photos from the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters 1000 event. (All photos Getty Images.)

1

Rafael Nadal

The Spaniard is back in action at this week's Masters 1000 event in Monte Carlo. Nadal got off to a commanding start in his opener against qualifier Federico Delbonis, posting a 6-1, 6-2 score to set up a tricky round of 32 clash with No. 14 seed Grigor Dimitrov.

MONTE-CARLO, MONACO - APRIL 14: Rafael Nadal of Spain runs during their Round 32 match against Federico Delbonis of Argentina during day four of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters at Monte-Carlo Country Club on April 14, 2021 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
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2

Novak Djokovic

The world No. 1 had one of the more challenging first rounds on paper, but the way he played in his red dirt opener didn't quite reflect that. Djokovic took out the talented Jannik Sinner, who is fresh off reaching his first Masters 1000 final in Miami, 6-4, 6-2.

MONTE-CARLO, MONACO - APRIL 14: Novak Djokovic of Serbia looks on during their Round 32 match against Jannik Sinner of Italy during day four of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters at Monte-Carlo Country Club on April 14, 2021 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
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3

Dan Evans

After falling short in three consecutive opening rounds, the Brit is through to the round of 16. Evans defeated this year's Miami Open champion Hubert Hurkacz in convincing style by posting a seamless 6-4, 6-1 score. He will face Djokovic for the first time on Thursday.

MONTE-CARLO, MONACO - APRIL 14: Daniel Evans of Great Britain celebrates a point during their Round 32 match against Hubert Hurkacz of Poland during day four of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters at Monte-Carlo Country Club on April 14, 2021 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
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4

Alexander Zverev

"Happy to get my socks dirty again," Zverev wrote on Instagram following his win in Monaco on Wednesday.

The German notched a solid 6-3, 6-3 victory over Italy's Lorenzo Sonego to kickstart his campaign on the red clay. He gets No. 11 seed David Goffin next.

MONTE-CARLO, MONACO - APRIL 14: Alexander Zverev of Germany serves during their Round 32 match against Lorenzo Sonego of Italy during day four of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters at Monte-Carlo Country Club on April 14, 2021 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
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5

Casper Ruud

Ruud captured his second Top-10 victory against Argentine Diego Schwartzman. The 22-year-old is through to the last 16 after picking up a 6-3, 6-3 win and will battle Pablo Carreno Busta for a spot in the quarterfinals.

MONTE-CARLO, MONACO - APRIL 14: Casper Ruud of Norway serves during their Round 32 match against Diego Schwartzman of Argentina during day four of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters at Monte-Carlo Country Club on April 14, 2021 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
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