ALL the top ranked players moved through to the quarter finals as the bottom half of the 2020 ATP Monte Carlo Masters draw was decided. The only somewhat surprise from a huge day of action was the exit of reigning champion, Fabio Fognini who will cop a huge points loss for not making it through to defend his title. He was sorely beaten by seventh seed, Alexander Zverev, joining three other genuine title contenders in the final eight.

Third seed, Dominic Thiem ended the run of unseeded Georgian, Nikoloz Basilashvili who had won his fourth title recently in Houston and then backed it up with an upset win over 15th seed, Andrey Rublev in the second round. That dream run came to an end at the hands of the reigning two-time Roland Garros runner-up in Thiem – though not easily. The Austrian had to take the full three sets to shake off Basilashvili to win 6-3 3-6 6-2 in two hours and 27 minutes. He now faces sixth seed, Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarter finals.

Tsitsipas was able to fend off 12th seed Spaniard, Roberto Bautista Agut rather easily, winning 6-1 6-3 in just under 90 minutes of action. The Greek up and comer has had mixed form this season, but he has made his way into the final eight and now has a massive task on his hands against Thiem. In the final match of the round, world number two Rafael Nadal toppled 13th seed Argentinian, Diego Schwartzman to book his spot in the last eight. It was no surprise to see the clay court champion make his way into the quarter finals, with the likelihood he will go all the way. He defeated Schwarzman 6-3 7-5 to claim a spot and remain tournament favourite in the process.

Tomorrow’s action sees the Round of 16 completed with a massive clash between fifth seed Roger Federer and the unseeded Kei Nishikori, both of whom are returning from long-term injury layoffs at this tournament. The winner takes on the victor between fourth seed, Daniil Medvedev and French wildcard, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the quarter finals, while in the other games, Novak Djokovic takes on Karen Khachanov and in the all-unseeded clash, Cristian Garin locks horns with Albert Ramos-Vinolas.

ROUND OF 16 RESULTS:

[2] Rafael Nadal (ESP) defeated [13] Diego Schwartzman (ARG) 6-3 7-5
[3] Dominic Thiem (AUT) defeated Nikoloz Basilashvili (GEO) 6-3 3-6 6-2
[6] Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) defeated [12] Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) 6-1 6-3
[7] Alexander Zverev (GER) defeated [10] Fabio Fognini (ITA) 6-2 6-3