In a dramatic turn of events at the Monte Carlo Masters, Casper Ruud secured a historic victory over Novak Djokovic, setting the stage for a thrilling final showdown against Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Norwegian eighth seed Ruud, who had previously suffered five defeats against Djokovic, including a demoralizing loss in the French Open final last year, displayed remarkable resilience to emerge victorious with a scoreline of 6-4, 1-6, 6-4 in the semi-final clash.
Djokovic, the world number one, faltered with a double-fault after saving two match points, allowing Ruud to claim a monumental win.
Expressing his elation, Ruud remarked, “I’m super-happy, this is a day I will remember for a really long time.”
“I’ve never beaten Novak and I’ve never beaten a world number one. I’m still in a little bit of shock.”
The victory marked Ruud’s first-ever triumph over Djokovic and a significant milestone in his career.
Looking ahead to the final, Ruud acknowledged the challenge posed by Tsitsipas, stating, “Stef will be tough in the final but I will give it my all.”
Djokovic was competing in his first semi-final in Monte Carlo since he lifted his second title in 2015. He was hoping to reach a 59th Masters final.
“Congratulations to Casper. He played really good, especially in the beginning of the first and third set,” said the 36-year-old top seed.
“Of course I’m disappointed now, to lose a match like this… it was a close one.”
Meanwhile, Tsitsipas showcased his prowess on the court, overcoming Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner in a hard-fought encounter to secure his spot in the final.
Tsitsipas, a two-time champion at Monte Carlo, demonstrated resilience and determination to prevail with a score of 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, bringing an end to Sinner’s nine-match winning streak.
Reflecting on his victory, Tsitsipas expressed optimism for the final and emphasized the importance of a good recovery and a fresh mindset.
“I was up and he came back, the top guys are good under pressure,” Ruud said. “I was just hoping the match would not slip away.
“In the last game I was hoping something or someone up above was listening… I was so happy to see that last ball sail along.”
The Greek player, ranked 12th, highlighted the significance of regaining top form and boosting confidence with a notable win.
“It will help my confidence to have a win like this,” he said. “I’m aiming for the top level again.”
However, Sinner, who battled through injury and contentious line calls during the match, lamented the outcome, citing a poor third-set line call that affected his focus and ultimately led to cramping.
Despite the setback, Sinner acknowledged Tsitsipas’s superior performance and expressed disappointment over the turn of events.
“It’s hard to accept it,” the Italian second seed said of the call. “I was playing really well at that time.”
“Everyone can make a mistake. Afterwards, I had cramps, most likely because of what happened, because it also affects your nerves.”
As the stage is set for an electrifying final clash between Ruud and Tsitsipas, tennis fans anticipate a thrilling showdown between two formidable contenders vying for the prestigious Monte Carlo Masters title.
