MONTE CARLO: Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman battled past Russia’s Karen Khachanov of Russia in the opening round of the Monte Carlo here on Monday.

Twelfth seed Schwartzman downed the Russian 6-7 (5-7), 6-3, 6-3 and next faces Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics in the second round.

Former semi-finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga’s final appearance at the Masters 1000 tournament ended in disappointment after the Frenchman was beaten 6-2 6-2 by Marin Cilic.

Tsonga has announced his decision to retire after the French Open.

In other first-round matches held on Monday, Argentine Federico Delbonis beat Spain’s Jaume Munar 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 to set up a clash with second seed Alexander Zverev of Germany; Italy’s Jannik Sinner defeated Croat Borna Coric 6-3, 2-6, 6-3; Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta overpowered Argentine qualifier Sebastian Baez 6-4, 4-6, 6-2

The event is without several top players, including Rafa Nadal, Daniil Medvedev, Dominic Thiem and Matteo Berrettini. However, world number one Novak Djokovic is playing.

Published in Dawn, April 13th, 2022