Russian ruled out after positive test

World number two men’s tennis player Daniil Medvedev has been withdrawn from the Rolex Monte-carlo Masters after testing positive for coronavirus.

The announcement came ahead of the third day of play at one of the ATP’S biggest events, with Medvedev replaced in the draw by Argentinian lucky loser Juan Ignacio Londero.

Medvedev said in a statement: “It’s a big disappointment not to play in Monte-carlo.

“My focus is now on recovery and I look forward to getting back out on Tour as soon and as safely as possible.”

The ATP said the 25-yearold had been moved into isolation and was being monitored by the tournament doctor and the Tour’s medical team.

Medvedev lives in the principality and his positive test will call into question the wisdom of the tournament allowing players to stay at home rather than in a strict bubble.

The Russian practised with Rafael Nadal on Monday.

Meanwhile, Dan Evans ended a four-match losing streak with his first Tourlevel victory on clay for four years.

The British number one has lost a succession of close contests in recent weeks and saw two match points come and go in a long second-set tie-break against 2019 runner-up Dusan Lajovic before prevailing 6-3 6-7 (11-13) 6-2.

Evans has always struggled on clay and he had not won a match on the surface at any level since a qualifying victory over Serbian Lajovic in Rome in May 2019.

The 30-year-old missed four match points in losing to Italian teenager Lorenzo Musetti in Cagliari last week and nerves were evident from both men in a dramatic second-set tie-break.

He told Amazon Prime Video: “It was difficult because the last few matches have been tough, especially last week, and I was thinking about that a bit.

“It was tough to swallow the missed smash but I came back and I thought I played well throughout the whole match, to be honest.

“Dusan’s a good claycourt player. It sounds a bit silly but it’s better when I play a clay-courter on this stuff because they’re not used to my game so much.”

In the second round he will play Miami Open champion Hubert Hurkacz, who defeated Thomas Fabbiano 6-3 3-6 6-3.