Ruud Finally Beats Djokovic, Tsitsipas Upsets Sinner In Monte Carlo Masters SF


It was a Saturday of upsets in Monte Carlo with both underdogs Stefanos Tsitsipas and Casper Ruud advancing to the finals of the first Masters on clay this season.

First up, Stefanos Tsitsipas continued his success at the Monte Carlo Masters and over Jannik Sinner defeating the Italian 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.

Sinner, seeking his first Masters final on clay, was in control late leading with a break 4-1. But aided by a Sinner cramps and some line calls, the Greek caught fire taking the last five games to earn a berth in his third Monte Carlo Masters final.

“It was one of the best first sets I have played on clay,” Tsitsipas said. “So much consistency and great quality of shot-making. Just pure, clean game from start to finish. I was playing as equally good on the cross as I was playing on the down-the-line.

“It was a great feeling to be kind of in the zone right from the beginning. It was important that I started the game like this to give myself a chance also in the third set, because, you know, I feel like my opponent knew that I had that level and I could play that any time so he, in a way, had to be careful of being consistent with me.

“They cleaned the court in the beginning of the third set, but the bounces were not there. I was not framing during the entire match, so it did happen in that particular moment.

I didn’t think much of it then. I knew I was getting fatigued and tired, but I just couldn’t stop. I mean, I accepted that the break happened. I just had to move on and continue my game with whichever tools I had at the moment and just find a way through by fighting a little bit, by making a lot of returns in, by building up the points and seeing whether or not he cracks first.”

Sinner suffered just his second loss of the season (25-2) and it’s his second straight year falling on the Monte Carlo semifinals. The missed line call at 3-1 up in the third hurt Sinner.

“It’s tough to accept this, yes. It’s tough, a tough one to swallow, because, you know, I was playing at some point great tennis. Was, you know, yeah, playing well. You know, tactically everything went in the right direction,” Sinner said.

“You know, everyone can make mistakes unfortunately or fortunately. You know, also I can make mistakes. And it went like this.

“Then after, you know, to having cramps, it’s a consequence of most likely of this what happened, you know, because it also goes in the nervous side of the brain, and then after, it’s not easy to play. I tried my best still.”

Tsitsipas won the title in 2021 and 2022, and will go for No. 3 Sunday against Ruud.

Ruud notched one of his best career wins edging Novak Djokovic in three sets 6-4, 1-6, 6-4.

“It’s fantastic,” Ruud said. “It’s, in my eyes, one of the all-time players to try to beat. Today I was able to do it. Something I can remember for the rest of my life and tell hopefully my kids in the future and my grandkids when I’m getting old that, you know, I beat Novak one time at least.

“It’s always fun to play against him, because, you know, it’s one of the toughest challenges in our sport. I’m very super proud and happy to overcome it today.”

Entering the match, Ruud was 0-5 against Djokovic and 0-11 in sets. But the Norwegian capitalized on a first set slew of errors from the Serb to break that first duck.

Djokovic ran away with the second as his level rose, but Ruud got right back on top in the third with a quick break.

Djokovic would later level as tension mounted at 4-all. Ruud finally stopped the Djokovic run to hold for 5-4 and serving to stay in it, Djokovic fell apart double faulting down match point.

“It’s a few points here and there. I started great,” Ruud added. “I was up two breaks in the first set, and then he kind of came back and showed why he’s the best and was toying with me, dropshots, moving me around. I didn’t really have any chance to play.

“Then third set it’s open. If you get a good start like I did, it’s a good thing. Then he came back. Then the last game I just told myself, you know, try to go for it if you have the chance. He did a few unforced errors luckily for me.

“He lost a match in Indian Wells to Luca Nardi, and he showed there that he’s also vulnerable sometimes. Not many times in a year, but a few days here and there he’s possible to beat,” he said.

“Luckily for me I was able to think about those thoughts in the end of the third set and take advantage of it, believing more in myself that I could beat him now than before, because he didn’t have that perfect record so far this year, and that kind of is how tennis works. Fine balance. If you see that someone has done really well in the beginning of the year, it’s tough to play them, because you’re expecting, wow, this guy is almost impossible to beat. But if you see that many or other players have beaten him before, you believe a bit more in yourself also.”

Djokovic had a decent week and takes some momentum as he starts his clay swing.

“Of course I’m disappointed, you know, to lose a match like this. Was close one,” Djokovic said. “Congratulations to Casper. He played really good, especially in the beginning of the first and third, as well. I had my chances, but yeah, last game was not great. Unforced errors and just he was solid I think until the last shot and deserved to win.

“My game was kind of up and down. I mean, the positive thing is that I kind of managed to come back after losing the first set and really find the strength in the game.

“So there are positives to take away from this tournament, for sure, but of course disappointed with the loss.”

In the final, Tsitsipas leads Ruud 2-1. The Greek is in his 7th Masters final with those two titles coming in Monte Carlo. Ruud is into his second Masters final after losing in Miami last year to Carlos Alcaraz.

“Tough match. Stefanos is a fantastic player on all surfaces, but clay, I think he has had more success in his career so far. He won here two times, so obviously he’s feeling comfortable here,” Ruud said.

“I think he lives here in Monaco, so I guess sort of a home tournament for him. The last six, seven, eight months has not been I think perfect for him, and he fell out of the top 10 and a few things. Maybe he will be back now, I’m not sure, after this week.

“He’s been a steady top-10, top-5 player for many years already. He is always going to be a dangerous player and seems like he’s back in good shape. I’m going to have to expect the best version of Stefanos tomorrow.”


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