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Cameron Norrie was beaten in straight sets by 15th seed Karen Khachanov in the first round of the Monte Carlo Masters.<\/b><\/p>\n
Norrie fought hard in a match lasting two hours and 25 minutes but went down 7-5 7-6 (7-3) to the Russian.<\/p>\n
The British number one had two set points to level the match at one set all before Khachanov came through in the tie-break.<\/p>\n
Fellow Briton Dan Evans was beaten 6-1 6-4 by Austria’s Sebastian Ofner.<\/p>\n
Norrie broke at the first time of asking to go 2-0 up in the first set but Khachanov immediately broke back.<\/p>\n
The Russian secured the decisive break, the last of five in opening set, in the 11th game and broke again to start the second set.<\/p>\n
Norrie responded in the next game and broke again for a 5-3 lead but could not serve out the set.<\/p>\n
He had another chance to break and force a deciding set but two set points went begging and the momentum was with Khachanov as he stormed ahead in the tie-break.<\/p>\n
Norrie managed to save two match points but Khachanov converted the third and advances to play Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo in the second round.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, world number 50 Evans, playing his second match of the season on clay, lost a 70-minute match to Ofner.<\/p>\n
Evans had two break points in the opening game but could not convert and went on to lose the next four games.<\/p>\n
He dropped serve early in the second set and, despite a late wobble from Ofner, could not force a decider.<\/p>\n
British number three Evans has not won back-to-back singles matches on the ATP Tour this year.<\/p>\n
The event in Monte Carlo is one of the nine Masters tournaments, which are the biggest men’s tour events outside of the four Grand Slams.<\/p>\n
Jack Draper takes on Poland’s 10th seed Hubert Hurkacz on Tuesday.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n