HOUSTON Open winner, Nikoloz Basilashvili continued his red-hot form on the ATP Tour of later by knocking out 15th seed Russian in the second round of the 2020 Monte Carlo Masters fantasy tennis tournament. Basilashvili impressed in Houston with a strong victory as sixth seed and a win over former number one, Andy Murray in the final, and that continued in Monte Carlo with a commanding 7-6 6-3 triumph over Rublev in an hour and 38 minutes.

Basilashvili was the only unseeded player to make the Round of 16 from the bottom half of the draw, with the seven other seeds all toppling their respective opponents. The Georgian now takes on third seed, Dominic Thiem in the Round of 16 which will make it difficult for him to continue his run. Thiem easily moved past Slovenian qualifier, Aljaz Bedene 6-3 6-4, the same scoreline as sixth seed Greek, Stefanos Tsitsipas handed out to Norwegian, Casper Ruud. It was expected to be one of the games of the day but ended up being a fairly strong victory to Tsitsipas, with the other top seven seeds also winning through easily.

World number two and tournament favourite, Rafael Nadal had no problems against unseeded Brit, Kyle Edmund to win 6-2 6-0, while seventh seed German, Alexander Zverev stormed to a win with a 6-2 6-3 triumph over Pole, Hubert Hurkacz. Also through to the next round in arguably the match of the day was 10th seed Fabio Fognini. Coming up against Murray in the second round in what was a dangerous clash for the Italian firebrand and Marrakech Open finalist, Fognini was able to survive an early onslaught and then steady when challenged in the deciding set to win 5-7 6-2 7-6.

The final two winners through to the Round of 16 were Roberto Bautista Agut and Diego Schwartzman. Twelfth seed, Bautista Agut got through in trying circumstances, coming from behind to down capable clay courter Borna Coric in three sets, 4-6 6-3 6-2. Schwartzman on the other hand, won through 6-3 7-5 over Taylor Fritz for the 13th seed to ensure he moved a win closer to the title, though runs into Nadal in the third round.

Tomorrow’s day four action includes some massive clashes including fourth seed Daniil Medvedev taking on young gun, Felix Auger-Aliassime, 16th seed Stan Wawrinka facing French wildcard Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, and 8th seed Gael Monfils going head-to-head with clay court star, Cristian Garin. Swiss maestro Roger Federer also makes his return from injury, locking horns with Spaniard, Pablo Carreno Busta.

ROUND OF 32 RESULTS:

[2] Rafael Nadal (ESP) defeated Kyle Edmund (GBR) 6-2 6-0
[3] Dominic Thiem (AUT) defeated [Q] Aljaz Bedene (SLO) 6-3 6-4
[6] Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) defeated Casper Ruud (NOR) 6-3 6-4
[7] Alexander Zverev (GER) defeated Hubert Hurkacz (POL) 6-2 6-3
[10] Fabio Fognini (ITA) defeated [WC] Andy Murray (GBR) 5-7 6-2 7-6
[12] Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) defeated Borna Coric (CRO) 4-6 6-3 6-2
[13] Diego Schwartzman (ARG) defeated Taylor Fritz (USA) 6-3 7-5
Nikoloz Basilashvili (GEO) defeated [15] Andrey Rublev (RUS) 7-6 6-3