Daniil Medvedev marched past Lorenzo Sonego at the Monte Carlo Masters to secure a tour-leading 30th win of the 2023 season.
The third seed overcame the Italian 6-3 6-2 to clinch a spot in the round of 16 alongside compatriots Andrey Rublev and Karen Khachanov – marking just the third time in the Open Era that three Russians have reached that stage at Monte Carlo.
Advertisement
Medvedev will face Alexander Zverev, who clinched his spot with a 6-4 6-4 victory over Roberto Bautista Agut earlier in the day, in the next round.
"We've had some tough matches. We played for the first time maybe seven years ago on the ATP Tour, and in juniors maybe 12 years ago," Medvedev said of Zverev.
"I remember I beat him once in a final on clay in juniors, but it’s going to be a different story.
"I saw him in the first two matches, he seemed to be in good shape. I'm just going to have to be at my best."
Elsewhere, Jannik Sinner claimed a 6-0 3-1 victory over Diego Schwartzman, who retired in the second set, to take his total of wins in 2023 to 22, with only Medvedev having more.
There was also a win for Taylor Fritz, who overcame Stan Wawrinka 7-6 (12-10) 6-2, while qualifier Jan-Lennard Struff registered an upset with a 6-3 6-2 victory over Alex de Minaur.
30 - With his first victory on clay at ATP Masters 1000 level since Madrid in 2021, @DaniilMedwed has claimed a 30th match win in 2023. No player has won as many as Medvedev on the ATP Tour this year. Form.#RolexMonteCarloMasters | @atptour @ATPMediaInfo pic.twitter.com/ZSGC8sHzBq
— OptaAce (@OptaAce) April 12, 2023