After 13 hard-court clashes, Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev to debut rivalry on clay in Monte Carlo

WATCH: Ruud catches up with Prakash

A look at some of the storylines that have emerged at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters on Wednesday.

MEDVEDEV, ZVEREV TO BRING RIVALRY TO CLAY

At Indian Wells, Daniil Medvedev escaped Alexander Zverev, 7-5, in the third on his way to an eventual runner-up finish in the California desert. The victory enabled the 2021 US Open champion to break a 6-6 tie in the pair’s head-to-head series, with all of those clashes remarkably playing out on hard courts.

“That’s a lot of times, actually. I don’t think I played anyone more than this,” Medvedev said on the World Feed.

Zverev can get back on even terms with a long-awaited surface switch in Monte Carlo after both players advanced to the round of 16. The German booked his place first, as the No. 13 seed compiled a confident performance in his 6-4, 6-4 win over Roberto Bautista Agut. Zverev struck 28 winners to post a +15 differential and dropped just one of his 10 service games.

Having won four titles from five successive finals on hard courts coming in, Medvedev launched his 2023 clay debut in style. The No. 3 seed dismissed Lorenzo Sonego, 6-3, 6-2, dominating with his first serve in taking 27 of 30 points. He was also clean off the ground in committing just seven unforced errors to go with 18 winners for his 25th win in 26 matches.

Looking ahead to his first clay bout with Zverev, Medvedev said, “I saw him the first two matches, he seemed to be in good shape.” Holding up his finger, Medvedev also recalled, “I remember I beat him once in the final on clay in juniors!”

RUUD ROLLS ON

Back on his favorite surface and with his first title of the year in hand, Casper Ruud maintained his recent reversal in form to win his opening match. The No. 4 seed avenged his Miami defeat to Botic van de Zandschulp by fighting through the Dutchman's challenge, 7-5, 7-6 (1).

Ruud was down 1-4 in the second set and was forced to save a set point at 4-5, 30-40. But once getting himself into a tie-break, he won the first five points in his sprint to the finish line.

“Today, I was sort of happy to play him again. I wanted revenge for what happened in Miami because I had so many chances in that match,” Ruud told Prakash Amritraj afterwards. “I sort of just stumbled and messed it all up towards the end. I felt like I had some unfinished business to get on with today.”

The Norwegian triumphed in his inaugural Estoril appearance last week after beginning his season with a 5-6 record, a stretch that saw Ruud fail to post back-to-back wins.

“That was important for me, to get some confidence coming into this tournament. Sort of show people and my opponents that on clay, that maybe Casper is back again and feels comfortable,” he said.

For a place in the quarterfinals, Ruud will take on qualifier Jan-Lennard Struff. The German knocked out No. 14 seed Alex de Minaur, 6-3, 6-2.

MUSETTI’S DOUBLE BAGEL SEALS NOVAK CLASH

Make it three consecutive 6-0 sets for Lorenzo Musetti.

The No. 16 seed overwhelmed compatriot Luca Nardi in a double bagel demolition, thanks in part to winning 72 percent of his return points that yielded six breaks of serve from seven opportunities. Musetti, who entered the 1000 event at just 6-8 on the year, advanced to face world No. 1 Novak Djokovic.

“I'm still a little scared to say that I'm completely back, but for sure I feel like I'm performing pretty well with my tennis. Today I was feeling every shot,” the 21-year-old told press.

Djokovic has won all three of their prior meetings, with Musetti’s best effort coming in their first tilt when he led the Serbian by two sets at the 2021 French Open. Djokovic has since taken seven successive sets.

“Even if being out for a month or even more, he's still Novak. So I have to be ready to beat the No. 1 in the world, not one guy who needs to prepare the clay season,” stated Musetti.

KHACHANOV TO MEET DOUBLES PARTNER RUBLEV

Karen Khachanov and Andrey Rublev have once again joined forces this week on the doubles court. And now, the two friends will face off in a showdown between Top 10 seeds.

A day after Rublev won his opener, Khachanov picked up his second straight-set win of the event, eliminating Ivan Ivashka, 7-6 (2), 6-2. The victory marked Khachanov’s 15th of the season and lined up his first encounter with Rublev since 2021 Halle.

Despite making the fourth round or better in five of his six Roland Garros main draws, the 26-year-old has never been beyond the third round at a Masters 1000 staged on clay.