<p>Daniil Medvedev endured one of the darkest moments of his career on Wednesday in Monte Carlo. The former world number one was demolished 6-0, 6-0 by Matteo Berrettini in just 49 minutes in the second round of the Masters 1000 event. It was the first time in Medvedev's career that he lost a tour-level match without winning a single game.</p>
<p>The tone was set early. Medvedev created two break points in the opening game but the Italian saved both with authority. From that point on, the match became a one-sided affair. Berrettini, a former Wimbledon finalist now ranked 90th in the world, produced near-flawless tennis, committing only three unforced errors throughout the entire match (according to Al Jazeera).</p>
<p>Medvedev, meanwhile, crumbled progressively. Thirty unforced errors, five double faults, and an inability to win more than two points in any of the final eleven games. His frustration boiled over in the second set when he smashed his racquet four times on the red clay of Court Rainier III, earning a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct.</p>
<p>For Berrettini, this victory represents far more than a simple result. The Italian, who has endured months of injuries and a dramatic ranking drop, is rediscovering his best form on his favourite surface. "I think it was one of the best performances of my life," he said after the match. "The game plan was perfect and my weapons were working. I faced two break points in the first game and then after that, I felt I was playing better than him" (according to ATP Tour).</p>
<p>Clay has always been Medvedev's Achilles heel, and he has never hidden his discomfort on the surface. But such a brutal defeat against a player ranked outside the top 80 raises serious questions about his form heading into Roland-Garros. The Russian, ranked fifth in the world, is going through a difficult spell after early exits in his recent tournaments.</p>
<p>Berrettini will next face young Brazilian João Fonseca, who defeated Arthur Rinderknech 7-5, 4-6, 6-3. A round-of-16 clash that could confirm the Italian's comeback is the real deal.</p>
