Djokovic through after Simon scare
Novak Djokovic’s clay season got off to a sluggish start on Tuesday at the Monte Carlo Masters as the world number two struggled past Gilles Simon 6-3, 3-6, 7-5. The Serb, who has suffered a disjointed 2017 with poor form and injury, spent around two and a half hours toiling to get through.
He was broken at 4-4 in the final set but then reeled off three straight games to snatch victory in the second-round encounter.
“It was a very difficult match, with many changes of momentum,” the second seed, who won the Monte Carlo event in 2013 and 2015, said. “It was very tiring for me, the first clay of the season.
“But this is the start of the Roland Garros build-up.”
Djokovic, who has won only one tournament so far this season -- the Qatar Open at the start of January twicerecoveredinthe
He finally prevailed against Simon, ranked 32 in the world, when the Frenchman fired long on a return.
Tommy Haas ignored his 39 years to post a 6-3, 6-2 defeat of Benoit Paire as the German’s 2017
KVITOVA TARGETS FRENCH OPEN RETURN
Kvitova is planning a surprise return at the French Open, six months after her left hand was badly injured in a knife attack she said on Monday champion suffered severe injuries to her playing hand as she fought off a knife-wielding intruder at her home in Czech town of Prostejov in December.
VERSTAPPEN SAYS SORRY TO BRAZILIANS
Max Verstappen apologised to Brazilian Formula One fans on Monday after a comment about Felipe Massa caused offence at the weekend.
The 19-year-old Red Bull driver had accused the Williams veteran of wrecking his best lap in qualifying at the Bahrain Grand Prix and was asked by reporters whether he would be speaking to him.
“Well, he’s a Brazilian. So there’s not much to discuss,” he had replied.
The Dutchman took to Instagram to clarify remarks that went down badly in Brazil. “By no means did I mean to insult the Brazilian people who I greatly respect and are always very nice