Alex de Minaur's stunning act against Stan Wawrinka as Novak Djokovic returns with a bang

Alex de Minaur was made to wait two and a half hours for the rain to stop to get on the tennis court against three-time grand slam champion Stan Wawrinka. But when action got underway at the Monte Carlo Masters, the Aussie was at his scintillating best, needing just 63 minutes to sweep aside the Swiss veteran 6-3 6-0 to reach the last 32.

The Australian No.1 chalked up his 20th win of 2024 in devastating fashion as he looks to reach the last 16 in Monaco for the first time. He will meet Tallon Griekspor in the last 32 and if he can score a win over the Dutchman, he will face either defending champion Andrey Rublev or Aussie compatriot Alexei Popyrin in the last 16.

"My attitude (was important)," de Minaur said. "(I didn't play) my best tennis to come out with on the first match on the clay. So I stayed tough, stayed solid, I played tough when I needed to and I found my way into the match and started playing better and better."

In an incredible stat, de Minaur has now won more sets 6-0 in 2024 than any other ATP player. His 63-minute win has also seen him announce himself as a threat on clay, a vast improvement on a surface he has long struggled on, with a career record on the clay of just 55 wins and 46 losses.

"I think with every year of experience I look forward to the clay season even more," de Minaur said after the win. "In the past, maybe mentally I wasn't really ready to tell myself I was going to be good on the clay. That, plus I put on a little bit of weight, put on a bit of muscle.

"Claycourt tennis is always so physical and there is a lot of strength involved, so I've put on a couple of kilos and hopefully it helps me this clay season."

While fellow Aussie Jordan Thompson was forced to withdraw from the tournament through injury. He was replaced by fellow Aussie Alexander Vukic. Vukic took the first set off Gael Monfils but ultimately fell 7-6 (9-7) 3-6 5-7 in a two hour and 13 minute epic.

Novak Djokovic makes successful tennis return

World No.1 Novak Djokovic has made a successful return to tennis at the Monte Carlo Masters, in his first match since parting ways with long-time coach Goran Ivanisevic. With former Serbian doubles specialist Nenad Zimonjic guiding him from the stands, Djokovic needed just one hour and 10 minutes to return to winning ways.

In what was his first match since a shock early exit at Indian Wells to Italian Luca Nardi, the Serb breezed past Russia's Roman Safiullin 6-1 6-2. By taking the court at Monte Carlo, the 36-year-old became the oldest World No.1 in the history of the ATP rankings, surpassing Roger Federer's record.

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"It is nice, it is great," said the 24-time Grand Slam winner. "I met (Rohan) Bopanna yesterday, who is the oldest doubles no.1 in history. He said we had a combined age of 80, but he does contribute to the 80 more than I do. But it is fun."

Following the match the 36-year-old said he was happy with how he played in his first match of the clay season and is hoping to gain some momentum. "I'm very pleased. Even the games that I lost, I had break points in those games," he said. "Really good first match at the start of the clay season. I hope to maintain this rhythm.

"Monte Carlo is the first big tournament of the clay court season. You know, I haven't been really able the last six, seven years to start off strong and start off well. I've always kind of struggled in this tournament."

Before Djokovic took to court, Alcaraz announced he was pulling out of Monte Carlo after failing to recover from an injury to his right forearm. While Alexander Zverev, Hubert Hurkacz and Sebastian Korda all progressed through to the next round.

with AAP