Djokovic, Ferrer Open Monte-Carlo Campaigns Tuesday

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic and No. 7 David Ferrer headline an action-packed Day 3 at the Monte-Carlo Country Club. Djokovic opens his bid for a second title against qualifier Albert Ramos-Viñolas, while 2011 runner-up Ferrer takes on Victor Estrella Burgos, who clinched his first ever ATP Masters 1000 match win in the 1R (d. Bolelli).

Frenchmen feature in the other two matches on Court Central today, with Gael Monfils opening play against Andrey Kuznetsov and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga clashing with lucky loser Jan-Lennard Struff.

• TOP SPOT: Monday marked the start of Djokovic’s 142nd week at World No. 1, moving him one week clear of Rafael Nadal and into sixth place on the all-time list. Read Tribute.

• MASTERING THE MASTERS: Djokovic is bidding to become the first player to win the opening three ATP Masters 1000 tournaments of the season after completing the Indian Wells-Miami title sweep for the third time in his career. Having also won Paris-Bercy at the end of last season, the Serb is looking to join Nadal (Madrid, Rome, Montréal, Cincinnati – 2013) in winning four ATP Masters 1000 titles in a row. The 27-year-old has been dominant at this tournament level in recent years, winning 17 of the last 38 (45%) Masters 1000 events.

• CILIC COMEBACK CONTINUES: Marin Cilic will be bidding for his first match win of the season when he takes on Florian Mayer today. The Croat returned from a three-month spell on the sidelines (shoulder injury) at Indian Wells, losing to Juan Monaco in his opening match. Mayer is also making a comeback from injury; this is his first tournament appearance since Miami 2014.