#NextGenATP Khachanov Advances Through Opener

#NextGenATP players were on show at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters on Tuesday with Russia’s Karen Khachanov the lone victor through to the second round.

The 20-year-old Khachanov beat Nicolas Mahut 6-2, 6-4 in an 85-minute encounter and next challenges No. 13 seed Pablo Carreno Busta in the second round. Afterwards, Mahut was complimentary of what he saw, explaining, “He’s still young. He can become very good and improve a lot. He has a very good coach [in Galo Blanco]. He will be very good in the future.”

Borna Coric, the winner of his first ATP World Tour title on Sunday at the Grand Prix Hassan II, fought hard but fell to the experienced Frenchman and fellow wild card Jeremy Chardy 7-6(3), 3-6, 6-3 in two hours and 42 minutes. Chardy goes on to face fifth seed Marin Cilic.

“It was a very tough first round,” said Chardy. “I feel very good on this clay. I was very frustrated because at the beginning I had many break points, and I didn’t make any. I had to wait until the third set to win a break point. I’m very happy I was able to win that match in the end.”

Elsewhere, 35-year-old Feliciano Lopez knocked out 21-year-old Daniil Medvedev 7-6(6), 7-5 in two hours for a second-round match against the leader of the Emirates ATP Race To Milan, No. 14 seed Alexander Zverev.

Qualifier Jan-Lennard Struff lost just three of his first service points (27/30) to get the better of 18-year-old wild card Casper Ruud 6-4, 6-4 in 78 minutes. He’ll now face eighth seed Grigor Dimitrov in the second round. Ruud is the youngest player in the Top 10 of the Emirates ATP Race To Milan.

Tickets for the Next Gen ATP Finals, to be held in Milan from 7-11 November and featuring players 21-and-under, went on sale today.