There will be a new name on the Rolex Monte Carlo Trophy this year following the elimination of the defending champion, Stefanos Tsitsipas, who was chasing his fourth at The Principality but, like the four former champions who started the event this year, the Greek was unable to lift his game when it mattered.
Today was a really tough match. I knew that before today I never beat him and we played five times. Especially on clay, I knew against a three-time champion, definitely not an easy job today Lorenzo Musetti
Lorenzo Musetti recovered to dash Tsitsipas’ hopes of retaining his title to record his first win over the Greek star in what was their sixth meeting to reach his first semi-final at a Master level event.
The Italian recorded a 1-6 6-3 6-4 victory after saving 14 of the 17 break points he faced with the sixth seed double-faulting, break-point down, at 3-3 in the decider.
That proved the crucial turning point as it allowed the 13th seed a clear run to the finish line which he cleared after a tense two-hours and 21-minute battle.
“Today was a really tough match. I knew that before today I never beat him and we played five times. Especially on clay, I knew against a three-time champion, definitely not an easy job today,” said the Paris Olympics bronze medallist. “I found a way and I was increasing during the whole match. Really, really happy and proud of this win.”
The 23-year-old now faces eighth seed Alex de Minaur, who inflicted the only double bagel of the week when he crushed Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov 6-0 6-0 in just 44-minutes.
Alex De Minaur is growing in confidence on clay
(Photo by Mateo Villalba/Getty Images)
The 26-year-old Australian was taking no prisoners in pursuit of his first Masters title by reaching his third semi-final at a clay court event.
“With the troubles I had on this surface at the start of my career, I didn’t quite understand it and how to play well on it,” De Minaur said of his improvements on the surface.
“As the years have gone by, I have grown to understand the things I can do well to become a tough opponent on this surface. I’m very happy that I am playing better and better every year.
“It’s not about hitting hard, powerful shots [on clay]. It’s about opening up the court, using angles, height, and different speeds. Understanding the balance between being too aggressive and too passive.”
Dimitrov struggled to find his range and looked stunned as De Minaur took complete control with some relentless play off the baseline, committing just six unforced errors in a 23-minute opening set. The pattern continued in the second, during which the Australian landed an inch-perfect lob to break serve in the first game to storm away with the match for his 20th win of the season
Carlos Alcaraz was pushed to the limit in his quarter final
(Photo by Mateo Villalba/Getty Images)
Meanwhile, the second semi-final is an all-Spanish affair between the second seed Carlos Alcaraz and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
Having eased himself through the third round, Alcaraz was put to the test by Arthur Fils of France, who kept him busy for two-hours and 23-minutes before capitulating to the title favourite 4-6 7-5 6-3.
Alcaraz crucially saved three break points in the sixth game of the second set and rallied from 1-3 in the decider before claiming his semi-final place.
“I just wanted to stay strong and wait for my chances,” Alcaraz said following the hard-hitting clash. “I think his level is high right now and he puts a lot of pressure on his opponents. Today I could feel it but in some moments he just made a few mistakes and I tried to make the most of those points and wait for my chances. The second set I saved those break points and then made the only break point I had that set.
“In the third set I was just trying to play good tennis. When I was a break down, I just tried to keep going and play aggressively and be strong mentally and physically.”
The Spanish world No.3 is chasing his sixth Masters title and second title of the season and if successful he will regain the second spot on the rankings ladder, displacing Alexander Zverev who crashed out in his opening match.
“I have missed clay,” Alcaraz added. “It is good to play the drop shot and it is a shot I use a lot and feel comfortable using. In matches like this I won almost every drop shot I hit, and it gives me more confidence.”
While Alcaraz was growing in confidence, Fils couldn’t contain his frustration and obliterated his racket when he dropped his serve crucially in the third to give his opponent a chance to serve out for the match.
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina is hoping to go all the way this year
(Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Like Fils, the 25-year-old Davidovich Fokina has been impressive this season and certainly looks set to repeat his achievement of 2022 when he made the final in Monte Carlo.
He had little trouble in overcoming Australia’s Alexei Popyrin 6-3 6-2 for his 18th win of the season following an assured performance.
“I’ve improved as a person, my maturity,” Davidovich Fokina said after his 69-minute victory. “When you can control [things] off the court, it’s going to be easier to control your emotions [on the court]. Today it has proved [the progress] I am making this year.”
And that progress will be reflected in his improved ranking which currently sees him rise 12 places to No.30 and will go even higher if he makes the final and collects the title!
