Coco Gauff became the latest victim of the stomach virus that has been sweeping through the draw at the Madrid Open but the ailing American still found a way to beat Sorana Cirstea 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 on Sunday and reach the round of 16.
Several players have been struggling with illness in the Spanish capital this week, including Iga Swiatek, who was forced to retire from her match against Ann Li on Saturday, and Marin Cilic, who had to withdraw ahead of his second-round meeting with Joao Fonseca on Friday.
Liudmila Samsonova also pulled out of the tournament on Sunday citing illness ahead of her third-round match with Linda Noskova.
Gauff vomited in a bin on the court during her clash with Cirstea, and asked for a medical timeout during the latter stages of the match before she completed the win in two hours and 21 minutes.
“Yeah, I don’t know, honestly (how I got through that),” said Gauff, who will face Noskova in the last 16. “I was just trying to finish the match and one point turned into another. I think I got what everybody else is having here in Madrid, unfortunately. So, I’m just going to try to push through for tomorrow.”
Gauff vomited in a bin on the court during her clash with Cirstea, and asked for a medical timeout during the latter stages of the match.
| Photo Credit:
AP
Gauff vomited in a bin on the court during her clash with Cirstea, and asked for a medical timeout during the latter stages of the match.
| Photo Credit:
AP
A runner-up to Aryna Sabalenka in the Spanish capital 12 months ago, Gauff has 3,300 points to defend on clay from Madrid through to her Roland Garros title defence in early June.
“I pulled out in Indian Wells. I’m not someone who likes to pull out, so I didn’t want to pull out again today. So, I’m glad that I was able to get through it,” added the two-time Grand Slam champion.
“I did start to feel better, not feeling like I had to throw up. They gave me some pills, so that definitely helped.
“But I was really tired… The first part was literally just trying to keep whatever I ate down. Once they gave me something to help with that, then I was just nauseous and tired. But I can deal with that.”
Published on Apr 26, 2026
Gauff vomited in a bin on the court during her clash with Cirstea, and asked for a medical timeout during the latter stages of the match. | Photo Credit: AP
Gauff vomited in a bin on the court during her clash with Cirstea, and asked for a medical timeout during the latter stages of the match. | Photo Credit: AP
![Madrid Open 2026: Sinner advances as Shelton knocked out; Rybakina scrapes through Jannik Sinner took a first step towards a potential record fifth consecutive Masters 1000 title with a 6-7[6], 6-1, 6-4 victory over Benjamin Bonzi in the Madrid Open second round on Friday.The Italian world number one is looking to beat the record of four consecutive triumphs held by all-time greats Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal this week in the Spanish capital.Sinner dropped only one set on the way to trophies in Paris, Indian Wells, Miami and Monte Carlo, but Bonzi battled brilliantly to claim the first at the Manolo Santana stadium.The Frenchman survived five break points to reach a tie-break, where he also saved set point before edging ahead.However Sinner stepped up a gear in the second set, securing breaks in the fourth and sixth games, and another in the third on his way to the third round.“It was a tough match, I had some chances early on and I couldn’t use them, but this is tennis,” said four-time Grand Slam winner Sinner. “It’s not bad to start the tournament like this, two and a half hours on court, it gives me good feedback where we need to improve for the next round.“Of course, we need to improve, but I’m also happy, when you’re not playing your best tennis and win, it’s still a good result.”With Sinner’s biggest rival Carlos Alcaraz injured and unable to compete either this week or in the upcoming French Open, the Italian is overwhelming favourite for every competition he enters in the weeks ahead.Earlier, promising 20-year-old Prizmic, ranked 87th, secured his first-ever win over a top-10 player in a three-hour battle in the Spanish capital.American Shelton triumphed at the Munich Open on Sunday on clay but was unable to force a single break point on Prizmic’s serve.Italian Lorenzo Musetti, ranked ninth, defeated Hubert Hurkacz 6-4, 7-6[4].Women’s number two Elena Rybakina scraped into the Madrid Open third round with a 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 win over Elena-Gabriela Ruse. Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina celebrates winning her round of 64 match against Romania’s Elena Gabriela
| Photo Credit:
REUTERS
Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina celebrates winning her round of 64 match against Romania’s Elena Gabriela
| Photo Credit:
REUTERS
Kazakhstan’s Rybakina, who won the Australian Open in January and triumphed at Stuttgart last week, struggled in the first set, making 24 unforced errors to just eight winners.After claiming a topsy-turvy second set, she came back from a break down in the third and sealed the victory on her third match point.Rybakina will meet Zheng Qinwen, who produced a similarly battling performance to overcome Sofia Kenin, in the third round.“Today, I basically survived,” said Rybakina after her hard-fought victory. “It wasn’t the greatest performance but Gabriela, she played very well. She was playing very deep and aggressive, so it was very difficult.“My serve was not really helping me today… but I’m really happy that I managed to win, and I hope I can bring better tennis next round.”Last year’s runner-up and the third seed Coco Gauff made light work of Leolia Jeanjean with a 6-3, 6-0 victory at the Arantxa Sanchez stadium.Gauff will take on Romanian Sorana Cirstea in the third round, after she defeated Tyra Caterina Grant in straight sets.Published on Apr 24, 2026 #Madrid #Open #Sinner #advances #Shelton #knocked #Rybakina #scrapes](https://ss-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/wsqh25/article70902824.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/2026-04-24T140355Z_1777741233_UP1EM4O132H4S_RTRMADP_3_TENNIS-MADRID.JPG "Madrid Open 2026: Sinner advances as Shelton knocked out; Rybakina scrapes through Jannik Sinner took a first step towards a potential record fifth consecutive Masters 1000 title with a 6-7[6], 6-1, 6-4 victory over Benjamin Bonzi in the Madrid Open second round on Friday.The Italian world number one is looking to beat the record of four consecutive triumphs held by all-time greats Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal this week in the Spanish capital.Sinner dropped only one set on the way to trophies in Paris, Indian Wells, Miami and Monte Carlo, but Bonzi battled brilliantly to claim the first at the Manolo Santana stadium.The Frenchman survived five break points to reach a tie-break, where he also saved set point before edging ahead.However Sinner stepped up a gear in the second set, securing breaks in the fourth and sixth games, and another in the third on his way to the third round.“It was a tough match, I had some chances early on and I couldn’t use them, but this is tennis,” said four-time Grand Slam winner Sinner. “It’s not bad to start the tournament like this, two and a half hours on court, it gives me good feedback where we need to improve for the next round.“Of course, we need to improve, but I’m also happy, when you’re not playing your best tennis and win, it’s still a good result.”With Sinner’s biggest rival Carlos Alcaraz injured and unable to compete either this week or in the upcoming French Open, the Italian is overwhelming favourite for every competition he enters in the weeks ahead.Earlier, promising 20-year-old Prizmic, ranked 87th, secured his first-ever win over a top-10 player in a three-hour battle in the Spanish capital.American Shelton triumphed at the Munich Open on Sunday on clay but was unable to force a single break point on Prizmic’s serve.Italian Lorenzo Musetti, ranked ninth, defeated Hubert Hurkacz 6-4, 7-6[4].Women’s number two Elena Rybakina scraped into the Madrid Open third round with a 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 win over Elena-Gabriela Ruse. Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina celebrates winning her round of 64 match against Romania’s Elena Gabriela
| Photo Credit:
REUTERS
Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina celebrates winning her round of 64 match against Romania’s Elena Gabriela
| Photo Credit:
REUTERS
Kazakhstan’s Rybakina, who won the Australian Open in January and triumphed at Stuttgart last week, struggled in the first set, making 24 unforced errors to just eight winners.After claiming a topsy-turvy second set, she came back from a break down in the third and sealed the victory on her third match point.Rybakina will meet Zheng Qinwen, who produced a similarly battling performance to overcome Sofia Kenin, in the third round.“Today, I basically survived,” said Rybakina after her hard-fought victory. “It wasn’t the greatest performance but Gabriela, she played very well. She was playing very deep and aggressive, so it was very difficult.“My serve was not really helping me today… but I’m really happy that I managed to win, and I hope I can bring better tennis next round.”Last year’s runner-up and the third seed Coco Gauff made light work of Leolia Jeanjean with a 6-3, 6-0 victory at the Arantxa Sanchez stadium.Gauff will take on Romanian Sorana Cirstea in the third round, after she defeated Tyra Caterina Grant in straight sets.Published on Apr 24, 2026 #Madrid #Open #Sinner #advances #Shelton #knocked #Rybakina #scrapes")
![Madrid Open 2026: Sinner advances as Shelton knocked out; Rybakina scrapes through Jannik Sinner took a first step towards a potential record fifth consecutive Masters 1000 title with a 6-7[6], 6-1, 6-4 victory over Benjamin Bonzi in the Madrid Open second round on Friday.The Italian world number one is looking to beat the record of four consecutive triumphs held by all-time greats Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal this week in the Spanish capital.Sinner dropped only one set on the way to trophies in Paris, Indian Wells, Miami and Monte Carlo, but Bonzi battled brilliantly to claim the first at the Manolo Santana stadium.The Frenchman survived five break points to reach a tie-break, where he also saved set point before edging ahead.However Sinner stepped up a gear in the second set, securing breaks in the fourth and sixth games, and another in the third on his way to the third round.“It was a tough match, I had some chances early on and I couldn’t use them, but this is tennis,” said four-time Grand Slam winner Sinner. “It’s not bad to start the tournament like this, two and a half hours on court, it gives me good feedback where we need to improve for the next round.“Of course, we need to improve, but I’m also happy, when you’re not playing your best tennis and win, it’s still a good result.”With Sinner’s biggest rival Carlos Alcaraz injured and unable to compete either this week or in the upcoming French Open, the Italian is overwhelming favourite for every competition he enters in the weeks ahead.Earlier, promising 20-year-old Prizmic, ranked 87th, secured his first-ever win over a top-10 player in a three-hour battle in the Spanish capital.American Shelton triumphed at the Munich Open on Sunday on clay but was unable to force a single break point on Prizmic’s serve.Italian Lorenzo Musetti, ranked ninth, defeated Hubert Hurkacz 6-4, 7-6[4].Women’s number two Elena Rybakina scraped into the Madrid Open third round with a 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 win over Elena-Gabriela Ruse. Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina celebrates winning her round of 64 match against Romania’s Elena Gabriela
| Photo Credit:
REUTERS
Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina celebrates winning her round of 64 match against Romania’s Elena Gabriela
| Photo Credit:
REUTERS
Kazakhstan’s Rybakina, who won the Australian Open in January and triumphed at Stuttgart last week, struggled in the first set, making 24 unforced errors to just eight winners.After claiming a topsy-turvy second set, she came back from a break down in the third and sealed the victory on her third match point.Rybakina will meet Zheng Qinwen, who produced a similarly battling performance to overcome Sofia Kenin, in the third round.“Today, I basically survived,” said Rybakina after her hard-fought victory. “It wasn’t the greatest performance but Gabriela, she played very well. She was playing very deep and aggressive, so it was very difficult.“My serve was not really helping me today… but I’m really happy that I managed to win, and I hope I can bring better tennis next round.”Last year’s runner-up and the third seed Coco Gauff made light work of Leolia Jeanjean with a 6-3, 6-0 victory at the Arantxa Sanchez stadium.Gauff will take on Romanian Sorana Cirstea in the third round, after she defeated Tyra Caterina Grant in straight sets.Published on Apr 24, 2026 #Madrid #Open #Sinner #advances #Shelton #knocked #Rybakina #scrapes](https://i2.wp.com/ss-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/wsqh25/article70902824.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/2026-04-24T140355Z_1777741233_UP1EM4O132H4S_RTRMADP_3_TENNIS-MADRID.JPG?ssl=1 "Madrid Open 2026: Sinner advances as Shelton knocked out; Rybakina scrapes through Jannik Sinner took a first step towards a potential record fifth consecutive Masters 1000 title with a 6-7[6], 6-1, 6-4 victory over Benjamin Bonzi in the Madrid Open second round on Friday.The Italian world number one is looking to beat the record of four consecutive triumphs held by all-time greats Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal this week in the Spanish capital.Sinner dropped only one set on the way to trophies in Paris, Indian Wells, Miami and Monte Carlo, but Bonzi battled brilliantly to claim the first at the Manolo Santana stadium.The Frenchman survived five break points to reach a tie-break, where he also saved set point before edging ahead.However Sinner stepped up a gear in the second set, securing breaks in the fourth and sixth games, and another in the third on his way to the third round.“It was a tough match, I had some chances early on and I couldn’t use them, but this is tennis,” said four-time Grand Slam winner Sinner. “It’s not bad to start the tournament like this, two and a half hours on court, it gives me good feedback where we need to improve for the next round.“Of course, we need to improve, but I’m also happy, when you’re not playing your best tennis and win, it’s still a good result.”With Sinner’s biggest rival Carlos Alcaraz injured and unable to compete either this week or in the upcoming French Open, the Italian is overwhelming favourite for every competition he enters in the weeks ahead.Earlier, promising 20-year-old Prizmic, ranked 87th, secured his first-ever win over a top-10 player in a three-hour battle in the Spanish capital.American Shelton triumphed at the Munich Open on Sunday on clay but was unable to force a single break point on Prizmic’s serve.Italian Lorenzo Musetti, ranked ninth, defeated Hubert Hurkacz 6-4, 7-6[4].Women’s number two Elena Rybakina scraped into the Madrid Open third round with a 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 win over Elena-Gabriela Ruse. Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina celebrates winning her round of 64 match against Romania’s Elena Gabriela
| Photo Credit:
REUTERS
Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina celebrates winning her round of 64 match against Romania’s Elena Gabriela
| Photo Credit:
REUTERS
Kazakhstan’s Rybakina, who won the Australian Open in January and triumphed at Stuttgart last week, struggled in the first set, making 24 unforced errors to just eight winners.After claiming a topsy-turvy second set, she came back from a break down in the third and sealed the victory on her third match point.Rybakina will meet Zheng Qinwen, who produced a similarly battling performance to overcome Sofia Kenin, in the third round.“Today, I basically survived,” said Rybakina after her hard-fought victory. “It wasn’t the greatest performance but Gabriela, she played very well. She was playing very deep and aggressive, so it was very difficult.“My serve was not really helping me today… but I’m really happy that I managed to win, and I hope I can bring better tennis next round.”Last year’s runner-up and the third seed Coco Gauff made light work of Leolia Jeanjean with a 6-3, 6-0 victory at the Arantxa Sanchez stadium.Gauff will take on Romanian Sorana Cirstea in the third round, after she defeated Tyra Caterina Grant in straight sets.Published on Apr 24, 2026 #Madrid #Open #Sinner #advances #Shelton #knocked #Rybakina #scrapes")
![Monte Carlo Masters 2026: Fonseca eases into quarterfinals, to meet Zverev Nineteen-year-old Joao Fonseca reached the quarterfinals of a Masters 1000 event for the first time when he strode to a convincing 6-3, 6-2 win over Matteo Berrettini in Monte Carlo on Thursday.The Brazilian’s last-eight opponent will be world No. 3 Alexander Zverev who dispatched Zizou Bergs 6-2, 7-5.Fonseca, who is making his first appearance in Monte Carlo, produced some superb tennis to see off an opponent who had thrashed Daniil Medvedev 6-0, 6-0 in the second round.The teenager is the youngest man to reach this stage in Monte Carlo since Rafael Nadal and Richard Gasquet in 2005 and is the first Brazilian to reach a Masters 1000 quarterfinal since Thomaz Bellucci in Madrid in 2011. He is the second man born in 2006 to reach the quarterfinals at a 1000-level event, after Spaniard Martin Landaluce, who reached the last eight in Miami in March.“It is super special. I was looking for this result for a long time,” Fonseca said on court.“Of course I want more. I am very confident and focused. I was very happy with the way I fought today. From the beginning, putting a lot of pressure. Playing huge return games and very good serve games. I was putting a lot of pressure and that helps you stay more calm during the match.”The world number 40, who is up five places in the live rankings, took just 73 minutes in the Monaco sun to book his place in the last eight, stamping his ticket with a winning smash on his first match point.After despatching Bergs, Zverev praised Fonseca. Zverev, a two-time semifinalist at the tournament, ruled the opening set against Bergs as the Belgian struggled on his own service, holding only once.
| Photo Credit:
REUTERS
Zverev, a two-time semifinalist at the tournament, ruled the opening set against Bergs as the Belgian struggled on his own service, holding only once.
| Photo Credit:
REUTERS
“I think clay is his best surface,” Zverev said of the Brazilian. “I am excited to play him for the first time. He is a young upcoming talent and I think we will play each other a lot more in the next couple of years.”Zverev, a two-time semifinalist at the tournament, ruled the opening set against Bergs as the Belgian struggled on his own service, holding only once.Bergs found his serve in the second set but Zverev managed to break at 3-3.The German lost his rhythm when he was serving for the match at 5-4. Bergs swinging freely broke to love after committing four unforced errors.Zverev responded immediately by breaking back. He closed out the match in his next service game with an ace on his second match point to win in 1 hour 51 minutes.“[It was] a better match from my side,” Zverev said when asked how it compared to his opening-round win on Wednesday in Monte-Carlo, where he rallied from 2-5 in the deciding set to defeat Cristian Garin.“It was still not perfect. Still far from the level I played in the US, but this is my first clay tournament… I am happy with the level today. We move forward.”The No. 3 player in the ATP rankings Zverev is chasing his eighth Masters 1000 crown and will now meet Fonseca for the first time. Last month, Fonseca faced Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner for the first time in Miami and Indian Wells pushing both in narrow defeats.Published on Apr 09, 2026 #Monte #Carlo #Masters #Fonseca #eases #quarterfinals #meet #Zverev](https://ss-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/k9jlc0/article70843023.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/2026-04-09T110924Z_976434848_UP1EM490UZLKO_RTRMADP_3_TENNIS-MONTECARLO.JPG "Monte Carlo Masters 2026: Fonseca eases into quarterfinals, to meet Zverev Nineteen-year-old Joao Fonseca reached the quarterfinals of a Masters 1000 event for the first time when he strode to a convincing 6-3, 6-2 win over Matteo Berrettini in Monte Carlo on Thursday.The Brazilian’s last-eight opponent will be world No. 3 Alexander Zverev who dispatched Zizou Bergs 6-2, 7-5.Fonseca, who is making his first appearance in Monte Carlo, produced some superb tennis to see off an opponent who had thrashed Daniil Medvedev 6-0, 6-0 in the second round.The teenager is the youngest man to reach this stage in Monte Carlo since Rafael Nadal and Richard Gasquet in 2005 and is the first Brazilian to reach a Masters 1000 quarterfinal since Thomaz Bellucci in Madrid in 2011. He is the second man born in 2006 to reach the quarterfinals at a 1000-level event, after Spaniard Martin Landaluce, who reached the last eight in Miami in March.“It is super special. I was looking for this result for a long time,” Fonseca said on court.“Of course I want more. I am very confident and focused. I was very happy with the way I fought today. From the beginning, putting a lot of pressure. Playing huge return games and very good serve games. I was putting a lot of pressure and that helps you stay more calm during the match.”The world number 40, who is up five places in the live rankings, took just 73 minutes in the Monaco sun to book his place in the last eight, stamping his ticket with a winning smash on his first match point.After despatching Bergs, Zverev praised Fonseca. Zverev, a two-time semifinalist at the tournament, ruled the opening set against Bergs as the Belgian struggled on his own service, holding only once.
| Photo Credit:
REUTERS
Zverev, a two-time semifinalist at the tournament, ruled the opening set against Bergs as the Belgian struggled on his own service, holding only once.
| Photo Credit:
REUTERS
“I think clay is his best surface,” Zverev said of the Brazilian. “I am excited to play him for the first time. He is a young upcoming talent and I think we will play each other a lot more in the next couple of years.”Zverev, a two-time semifinalist at the tournament, ruled the opening set against Bergs as the Belgian struggled on his own service, holding only once.Bergs found his serve in the second set but Zverev managed to break at 3-3.The German lost his rhythm when he was serving for the match at 5-4. Bergs swinging freely broke to love after committing four unforced errors.Zverev responded immediately by breaking back. He closed out the match in his next service game with an ace on his second match point to win in 1 hour 51 minutes.“[It was] a better match from my side,” Zverev said when asked how it compared to his opening-round win on Wednesday in Monte-Carlo, where he rallied from 2-5 in the deciding set to defeat Cristian Garin.“It was still not perfect. Still far from the level I played in the US, but this is my first clay tournament… I am happy with the level today. We move forward.”The No. 3 player in the ATP rankings Zverev is chasing his eighth Masters 1000 crown and will now meet Fonseca for the first time. Last month, Fonseca faced Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner for the first time in Miami and Indian Wells pushing both in narrow defeats.Published on Apr 09, 2026 #Monte #Carlo #Masters #Fonseca #eases #quarterfinals #meet #Zverev")
![Monte Carlo Masters 2026: Fonseca eases into quarterfinals, to meet Zverev Nineteen-year-old Joao Fonseca reached the quarterfinals of a Masters 1000 event for the first time when he strode to a convincing 6-3, 6-2 win over Matteo Berrettini in Monte Carlo on Thursday.The Brazilian’s last-eight opponent will be world No. 3 Alexander Zverev who dispatched Zizou Bergs 6-2, 7-5.Fonseca, who is making his first appearance in Monte Carlo, produced some superb tennis to see off an opponent who had thrashed Daniil Medvedev 6-0, 6-0 in the second round.The teenager is the youngest man to reach this stage in Monte Carlo since Rafael Nadal and Richard Gasquet in 2005 and is the first Brazilian to reach a Masters 1000 quarterfinal since Thomaz Bellucci in Madrid in 2011. He is the second man born in 2006 to reach the quarterfinals at a 1000-level event, after Spaniard Martin Landaluce, who reached the last eight in Miami in March.“It is super special. I was looking for this result for a long time,” Fonseca said on court.“Of course I want more. I am very confident and focused. I was very happy with the way I fought today. From the beginning, putting a lot of pressure. Playing huge return games and very good serve games. I was putting a lot of pressure and that helps you stay more calm during the match.”The world number 40, who is up five places in the live rankings, took just 73 minutes in the Monaco sun to book his place in the last eight, stamping his ticket with a winning smash on his first match point.After despatching Bergs, Zverev praised Fonseca. Zverev, a two-time semifinalist at the tournament, ruled the opening set against Bergs as the Belgian struggled on his own service, holding only once.
| Photo Credit:
REUTERS
Zverev, a two-time semifinalist at the tournament, ruled the opening set against Bergs as the Belgian struggled on his own service, holding only once.
| Photo Credit:
REUTERS
“I think clay is his best surface,” Zverev said of the Brazilian. “I am excited to play him for the first time. He is a young upcoming talent and I think we will play each other a lot more in the next couple of years.”Zverev, a two-time semifinalist at the tournament, ruled the opening set against Bergs as the Belgian struggled on his own service, holding only once.Bergs found his serve in the second set but Zverev managed to break at 3-3.The German lost his rhythm when he was serving for the match at 5-4. Bergs swinging freely broke to love after committing four unforced errors.Zverev responded immediately by breaking back. He closed out the match in his next service game with an ace on his second match point to win in 1 hour 51 minutes.“[It was] a better match from my side,” Zverev said when asked how it compared to his opening-round win on Wednesday in Monte-Carlo, where he rallied from 2-5 in the deciding set to defeat Cristian Garin.“It was still not perfect. Still far from the level I played in the US, but this is my first clay tournament… I am happy with the level today. We move forward.”The No. 3 player in the ATP rankings Zverev is chasing his eighth Masters 1000 crown and will now meet Fonseca for the first time. Last month, Fonseca faced Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner for the first time in Miami and Indian Wells pushing both in narrow defeats.Published on Apr 09, 2026 #Monte #Carlo #Masters #Fonseca #eases #quarterfinals #meet #Zverev](https://i2.wp.com/ss-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/k9jlc0/article70843023.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/2026-04-09T110924Z_976434848_UP1EM490UZLKO_RTRMADP_3_TENNIS-MONTECARLO.JPG?ssl=1 "Monte Carlo Masters 2026: Fonseca eases into quarterfinals, to meet Zverev Nineteen-year-old Joao Fonseca reached the quarterfinals of a Masters 1000 event for the first time when he strode to a convincing 6-3, 6-2 win over Matteo Berrettini in Monte Carlo on Thursday.The Brazilian’s last-eight opponent will be world No. 3 Alexander Zverev who dispatched Zizou Bergs 6-2, 7-5.Fonseca, who is making his first appearance in Monte Carlo, produced some superb tennis to see off an opponent who had thrashed Daniil Medvedev 6-0, 6-0 in the second round.The teenager is the youngest man to reach this stage in Monte Carlo since Rafael Nadal and Richard Gasquet in 2005 and is the first Brazilian to reach a Masters 1000 quarterfinal since Thomaz Bellucci in Madrid in 2011. He is the second man born in 2006 to reach the quarterfinals at a 1000-level event, after Spaniard Martin Landaluce, who reached the last eight in Miami in March.“It is super special. I was looking for this result for a long time,” Fonseca said on court.“Of course I want more. I am very confident and focused. I was very happy with the way I fought today. From the beginning, putting a lot of pressure. Playing huge return games and very good serve games. I was putting a lot of pressure and that helps you stay more calm during the match.”The world number 40, who is up five places in the live rankings, took just 73 minutes in the Monaco sun to book his place in the last eight, stamping his ticket with a winning smash on his first match point.After despatching Bergs, Zverev praised Fonseca. Zverev, a two-time semifinalist at the tournament, ruled the opening set against Bergs as the Belgian struggled on his own service, holding only once.
| Photo Credit:
REUTERS
Zverev, a two-time semifinalist at the tournament, ruled the opening set against Bergs as the Belgian struggled on his own service, holding only once.
| Photo Credit:
REUTERS
“I think clay is his best surface,” Zverev said of the Brazilian. “I am excited to play him for the first time. He is a young upcoming talent and I think we will play each other a lot more in the next couple of years.”Zverev, a two-time semifinalist at the tournament, ruled the opening set against Bergs as the Belgian struggled on his own service, holding only once.Bergs found his serve in the second set but Zverev managed to break at 3-3.The German lost his rhythm when he was serving for the match at 5-4. Bergs swinging freely broke to love after committing four unforced errors.Zverev responded immediately by breaking back. He closed out the match in his next service game with an ace on his second match point to win in 1 hour 51 minutes.“[It was] a better match from my side,” Zverev said when asked how it compared to his opening-round win on Wednesday in Monte-Carlo, where he rallied from 2-5 in the deciding set to defeat Cristian Garin.“It was still not perfect. Still far from the level I played in the US, but this is my first clay tournament… I am happy with the level today. We move forward.”The No. 3 player in the ATP rankings Zverev is chasing his eighth Masters 1000 crown and will now meet Fonseca for the first time. Last month, Fonseca faced Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner for the first time in Miami and Indian Wells pushing both in narrow defeats.Published on Apr 09, 2026 #Monte #Carlo #Masters #Fonseca #eases #quarterfinals #meet #Zverev")