Daniil Medvedev Edges Past Karen Khachanov in Thrilling Monte Carlo Match

Daniil Medvedev secures a hard-fought victory over Karen Khachanov in the Monte Carlo Masters, fighting back from a set and a break down.

Daniil Medvedev secured a hard-fought victory over Karen Khachanov in the first round of the Monte Carlo Masters, winning 7-5, 4-6, 6-4. The former US Open winner fought back from a set and a break down to eventually triumph in just under three hours on Court Rainier III. Medvedev's win marked a return to form on clay for the 29-year-old, who is chasing his first title since claiming the Rome Open two years ago.

In other matches, 11th seed Ben Shelton suffered a surprise defeat to 42nd-ranked Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, losing 6-7(2), 6-2, 6-1. The Spanish player, who reached the final at Monte Carlo in 2022, proved too strong for Shelton. Meanwhile, a potential showdown between Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka failed to materialize, as the Swiss player was defeated by Alejandro Tabilo.

Daniil Medvedev after beating Karen Khachanov in Monte Carlo:

“It’s the first match on clay. Not my favorite surface.…”

Death, taxes, & Meddy hating clay 😭 pic.twitter.com/wtYrdksEU3

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) April 7, 2025

More Monte Carlo Masters Action

Stan Wawrinka, competing with a wild card, was involved in an epic three-set battle that lasted nearly two and a half hours, ultimately falling 1-6, 7-5, 7-5 to Chile's Alejandro Tabilo. In other matches, Gael Monfils of France bounced back from a set down to beat Hungarian Fabian Marozsan 4-6, 6-1, 6-1. Matteo Berrettini secured a straight-sets win over Mariano Navone, setting up a second-round meeting with top seed Alexander Zverev.

Felix Auger-Aliassime was upset by German qualifier Daniel Altmaier, losing 7-6(5), 6-3. However, fellow top 20 player Lorenzo Musetti avoided a similar fate, coming back from a set down to defeat Chinese qualifier Bu Yunchaokete. Other winners included Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic, who beat American Sebastian Korda, and Marcos Giron, who overcame fellow North American Denis Shapovalov, both in straight sets.