Tsitsipas negotiates tricky return to Monte Carlo

Sefanos Tsitsipas overcame a slow start to his Monte Carlo Masters title defence with the three-time holder and defending champion forced to go the distance to secure a 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 win into the third round on Tuesday.

The Greek was tested by Australian Jordan Thompson before staging a fightback to take control and advance in his opening match of the European clay spring.

He advanced with 22 winners against 29 unforced errors in two hours. Tsitsipas recovered after his Aussie  opponent claimed the opening set with just four unforced errors.

“After the first set I tried to work around my serve,” the winner said. “There were tricky moments at the start. I had to get a hold of my serve.

“I started to feel more stabilised and tried to return well. There was not much to work with but I tried to pay without reserve.

“I hung in and tried to find something to reignite my consistency in my game. Once the serve clicked my confidence on return became better.”

Tsitsipas is trying to become the first man to win the event four times after the 11 of Rafael Nadal.

The 26-year-old owns an ATP leading 29 wins in clay events at the Masters 1000 level.

Main photo:- Stefanos Tsitsipas winning at the Monte Carlo Country Club today – by ATPtour.com