Tomic slump continues
Bernard Tomic’s slump in form continued yesterday at the Monte Carlo Open as the Australian lost a sixth straight match to exit the first major event of the clay season. Tomic, ranked 43 as his freefall continues, went down to Argentine Diego Schwartzman, who fought back from a 4-2 deficit in the second set to produce a 6-1, 7-6 (7/3) victory. The Queenslander was bustled out of the first round in just over one and a quarter hours.
Tomic won his last match at the Australian Open three months ago, reaching the third round where he lost to Brit Dan Evans. He retired in Acapulco in late February against Donal Young. Tomic struck six double-faults and was broken four times; the 41st-ranked Schwartzman lost serve once. Tomic is now falling well behind rising rival Nick Kyrgios, who is skipping Monte Carlo and starting his Roland Garros run-up campaign in a fortnight at Estoril. This defeat followed his loss to loss to Schwartzman in the second round at Istanbul last year.
Nishikori replaces Nadal
Meanwhile, Japan’s Kei Nishikori climbed two places to fifth in the latest ATP rankings released yesterday at the expense of Rafael Nadal, who slips to seventh. Britain’s Andy Murray continues to lead the top 10 which is unchanged aside from Nishikori’s upward move, which could have a bearing on his and Nadal’s seeding for the upcoming Barcelona ATP tournament. The pair met in the final last year, with Nadal prevailing. Nishikori has opted to skip this week’s Monte Carlo Masters where Nadal goes for an unprecedented 10th title. — Agencies