Casper Ruud gets revenge on Botic van de Zandschulp with Alexander Zverev also through at the Monte Carlo Masters

Casper Ruud extended his winning streak to five matches with a 7-5 7-6 victory over Botic van de Zandschulp to progress to the last-16 of the Monte Carlo Masters. After taking the first set, Ruud was in the ascendancy going into the second and, at the fourth attempt, managed to break Van de Zandschulp in the opening service game.

Ad However, the Dutchman proceeded to break Ruud’s next two service games, leaving the Norwegian 4-1 down and the game was seemingly heading towards a final, deciding set. ATP Monte CarloMonte Carlo talking points: Djokovic shakes off rust, Zverev digs in17 HOURS AGO These players met recently in Miami with Van de Zandschulp coming out on top, and with Ruud keen to make amends for that result he fought back to level the set at 4-4.

With his opponent holding, Ruud had to serve to stay in the set and he was forced to save a set point to take it to 5-5. Both players then lost their serve — with Ruud missing the chance to see out the match — and a tie-break followed, which the world No.4 saw out in style 7-1 to complete victory.

Speaking after the match, with the Miami defeat clearly still in his mind, Ruud said, “Sometimes it’s a little tricky if you play someone that you recently lost to like, ‘Oh no, not again,’ but this case I was a bit happy because I felt like I had some sort it unfinished business from Miami match.” He plays Jan-Lennard Struff next. Alexander Zverev continued his pursuit of top form since his return from injury by negotiating a tricky tie against Roberto Bautista Agut in straight sets.

The German was largely in control throughout as he got the better of his opponent 6-4 6-4 on Court Des Princes. Zverev made his mark fairly early in the first set, breaking to love to take a