Sports world daily: Wawrinka, Thiem through to second round in Monte Carlo; Barcelona held by Girona

Former champion Stan Wawrinka made it to the second round of the Monte Carlo Masters, as did Dominic Thiem when they played their respective matches on Monday.

In football, Barcelona were held by Girona in their La Liga clash, but still managed to extend their lead over Real Madrid.

Here’s a look at the key stories from international sporting events through the day for 11 April, 2023:

Wawrinka, Thiem through in Monte Carlo

The 2014 Monte Carlo Masters winner Stan Wawrinka was full of relief Monday to get past the first round, as Russian qualifier Ivan Gakhov secured a date with world No 1 Novak Djokovic.

Three-time Grand Slam champion Wawrinka has slipped to 90th in the ATP rankings but secured his second-round ticket with a 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 win over Tallon Griekspoor.

Also past the first hurdle in this warm-up for the French Open were 2021 Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini and 2020 US Open champion Dominic Thiem.

But Andy Murray’s participation in the Principality ended prematurely with the Scottish wild card despatched 6-1, 6-3 by Australian 14th seed Alex de Minaur.

Gakhov’s reward for edging past American Mackenzie McDonald 7-6 (6), 2-6, 6-3 was a Tuesday second-round date with Djokovic. This will be the Serb’s first match since he lost the semifinal in Dubai at...

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