Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner were on a collision course for the final of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters. Both Casper Ruud and Stefanos Tsitsipas had other ideas, however.
Before Ruud upset Djokovic 6-4, 1-6, 6-4 for his first-ever win at the 36-year-old Serb’s expense, Tsitsipas pulled off a 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 victory over Sinner. The result is a surprising Sunday showdown for the title between Ruud and Tsitsipas.
Although a loss by the world No. 1 may be the biggest story, Tsitsipas’ defeat of Sinner was no less surprising–especially considering the circumstances of the match. After losing the second set, the Greek fell behind 3-1 in the third and was a break point away from going down 4-1. Tsitsipas technically double-faulted on that break point, too, but there was no call and he ended up winning the point–and the game–to stay within striking distance. From 4-2 down, the 12th seed reeled off four games in a row to complete an improbable third-set comeback.
“It was tennis at its highest level that I have been able to play,” Tsitsipas assessed. “Jannik was an extremely difficult opponent and it can be seen throughout the year so far. He has been very consistent and I could see that throughout today with his game. He is one of the toughest opponents I have faced so far and to find ways when there weren’t that many, I am proud of that. He gave me a very difficult game. The way I overcame it is true excellence.”
For Ruud, his defeat of Djokovic marked his first-ever win over a world No. 1. The Norwegian had also been 0-5 previously in their head-to-head series.
“I am super happy,” Ruud assured. “This is a day I will remember for a long time. Beating a World No. 1 is something I have never done and beating Novak is something I have never done. I am very, very happy. I am a little bit in a state of shock right now.”
WWW?
Would definitely have picked Rudd in 3….but Tpas prevailed!