Marin Cilic passed a stern clay test against Russian Igor Andreev, 6-7 (4-7), 6-1, 6-4, on Tuesday at the Monte Carlo Masters for a second-round win on the surface.
“It was my first match on the clay this season and Igor has some matches already,” said Cilic. “He really pushed me, it was a good opening match.”
Top-eight seeds benefit from first-round byes, with number one seed Novak Djokovic and five-time champion Rafael Nadal waiting to start on Wednesday.
Djokovic, losing finalist last year to the Spaniard, will start against Serra while Nadal plays Dutch Thiemo de Bakker, a winner over Eduardo Schwank —fined for not trying during a match last week - 6-3, 7-5.
Bondarenko, Wozniak advance
CHARLESTON, South Carolina: Ninth seeded Alona Bondarenko of Ukraine breezed past Julie Ditty 6-4, 6-2 in the opening round of the WTA Family Circle Cup on Monday.
Canada’s Alexsandra Wozniak also won in straight sets Monday by beating Lilia Osterloh 6-3, 7-6 (11/9) to reach the second round of the clay court tournament.
Wozniak, the No.12 seed, next plays against qualifier Catalina Castano. Bondarenko beat ehr opponent in just 65 minutes.