Defending champion Andrey Rublev has been knocked out within the second spherical of the Monte Carlo Masters by Alexei Popyrin in straight units.
Unseeded Australian Popyrin overcame sixth seed Rublev 6-4 6-4 and can play compatriot Alex de Minaur subsequent.
“I’m feeling actually comfy,” Popyrin, 24, mentioned. “[I am] glad to beat a man who was in type, assured and the defending champ.”
Elsewhere, second seed Jannik Sinner is thru to the final 16.
The Australian Open champion beat American Sebastian Korda in straight units – 6-1 6-2 – in his first match on clay this 12 months.
He’ll play unseeded German participant Jan-Lennard Struff on Thursday.
Rublev is the primary of the highest six seeds to be knocked out however third seed Carlos Alcaraz withdrew on Tuesday due to damage.
Russian Rublev broke to take a 3-1 lead within the second set however Popyrin broke again twice. He then held serve to achieve the third spherical for the primary time.
In the meantime, two-time champion and twelfth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas additionally reached the third spherical in a straight set win over Argentine Tomas Etcheverry.
Tsitsipas will play fifth seed Alexander Zverev, after the German beat Austrian Sebastian Ofner on Monday.
