Stefanos Tsitsipas is through to the second round of the Monte Carlo Masters after his opponent Laslo Djere withdrew from their match due to injury.
World No. 12 Tsitsipas will play either Chile’s Nicolas Jarry or Argentina’s Tomas Martin Etcheverry next.
“I didn’t expect such a finish,” Tsitsipas said afterwards.
“This is not something that is very common when I play, but I did my job well. Obviously I wish him a speedy recovery because injuries are not fun to have when you’re on the tour.
“I did my job relatively well. I started well, I played the first set pretty much with very good consistency and generated good pace on the ball.
“I was happy with how I started. I think things are looking good and I’m hoping to keep going the same way.
“I really enjoyed getting a better consistency on my serve towards the end and I hope I can keep mixing it up with fun play.”
Tsitsipas, who won the Monte Carlo Masters in 2021 and 2022, is looking to return to the top ten of men’s tennis and he got his 2024 clay campaign off to a strong start with a good win against Djere.
Tsitsipas broke the Djere serve in the fourth game of the opening set to go 3-1 up before reeling off the next two games to take a commanding 5-1 lead.
Djere broke back, but Tsitsipas was able to see out the set in his next service game, converting his third set point to wrap up the opener in 35 minutes.
The Serb started the second set well, but squandered two break point opportunities at 2-1 up. Djere then went a break down in the next game before suddenly deciding to retire from the match after one hour and five minutes.
Felix Auger-Aliassime beat Italian qualifier Luca Nardi 6-2 6-3 to set up a second-round meeting against third seed Carlos Alcaraz.
Grigor Dimitrov came past Valentin Vacherot 7-5 6-2 while British No. 3 Dan Evans lost 6-1 6-4 to Sebastian Ofner.