Musetti survives scare from Buyunchaokete at Monte Carlo Masters

Italy's Lorenzo Musetti booked his place in the second round of the ATP Monte Carlo Masters, but was made to go the distance by China's World No. 67 Buyunchaokete.

The 23-year-old Chinese got past Nicolai Budkov Kjaer and Albert Ramos-Vinolas in qualifying. After some quick scrambling at the net, he dispatched a tweener from Musetti, en route to taking the first set 6-4.

Buyunchaokete upset the 13th seed in their only previous meeting at last year's China Open. He attempted a drop shot that Musetti easily picked up, and the Italian went on to claim the second set 7-5.

On match point, Musetti wrapped up the third set 6-3 with a well-worked rally. He will face Jiri Lehecka in the second round, having lost both previous meetings with the Czech Republic's World No. 28.

In other action, ninth seed Daniil Medvedev got past fellow Russian Karen Khachanov. Medvedev grabbed the first set 7-5 when Khachanov hit wide. But World No. 25 Khachanov battled back and closed out the second set 6-4.

Medvedev pulled ahead in the third, and the 2021 US Open champion raced to match point before polishing off the set 6-4, when Khachanov hit wide.

An early exit from last month's Miami Open knocked Medvedev out of the Top 10, but the 29-year-old is now back to winning ways on clay, as he chases his first title since the Rome Masters two years ago. The former World No. 1 will next face Frenchman Alexandre Muller.

Meanwhile, Alejandro Tabilo of Chile recovered from a sluggish start to overcome three-time Grand Slam winner Stan Wawrinka 1-6, 7-5, 7-5.  

The 40-year-old from Switzerland, who won the tournament back in 2014, was seeking his second Tour-level win this season. He took an early lead against the 27-year-old South American, but Tabilo showed resilience to pull one back, and then hold his composure after squandering a lead in the decider.

He will next meet Serbia's Novak Djokovic, who is still chasing a first title since triumphing at last summer's Paris Olympics.