Both Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal exited the Monte-Carlo Masters prior to the semifinals. Instead, Saturday’s lineup features Stefanos Tsitsipas, Andrey Rublev, Casper Ruud, and Dan Evans. It’s Tsitsipas vs. Evans and Rublev vs. Ruud.
Dan Evans vs. (4) Stefanos Tsitsipas
It has bee an incredible week at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters for Evans. Clay has always been the worst surface–and by a country mile–for the 33rd-ranked Brit, but from completely out of nowhere it is all turning around for him this week. In addition to wins over Dusan Lajovic, Miami champion Hubert Hurkacz, and David Goffin, Evans stunned world No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the third round. The 30-year-old is now 10-5 for his 2021 campaign, which includes his first ATP title at a 250-point in Melbourne.
Up next for Evans in Saturday’s first semifinal is Tsitsipas, who leads the head-to-head series 2-0. The fifth-ranked Greek got the job done 6-2, 6-3 last year in Dubai and 6-3, 6-1 last fall on the red clay of Hamburg. Always a force on clay, Tstisipas reached the Madrid final in 2019, the Hamburg final in 2020, and came within one set of last year’s French Open final. So far this week Tsitsipas has disposed of Aslan Karatsev, Cristian Garin, and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina without dropping a set. With the fourth seed rolling and Evans nearing the end of a physically and emotionally taxing week, this should be a mostly straightforward affair.
Pick: Tsitsipas in 2
(6) Andrey Rublev vs. Casper Ruud
Rublev and Ruud will be squaring off for the fourth time in their careers and for the third time on clay when they meet again on Saturday. Since dropping their first set two years ago in Hamburg, Rublev has won six in a row; he prevailed 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 in their first encounter, 6-4, 6-2 at the same Hamburg event one year later, and advanced at the 2021 Australian Open via retirement while leading 6-2, 7-6(3).
The eighth-ranked Russian led the ATP Tour last season with five titles and now he leads it with 23 match victories in 2021. That includes Monte-Carlo scalps of Salvatore Caruso, Roberto Bautista Agut, and Rafael Nadal. It has been a tough road for Rublev, but if was going to wear down physically or mentally it probably would have have happened against Nadal following his three-set battle with Bautista Agut. Ruud is a real threat on clay, but right now it’s hard to see anyone stopping Rublev in Monte-Carlo.
Pick: Rublev in 2
WWW?
Tsitsi in 3, Ruud in 3.
Yep, I voted the same except for # of sets.
Ruud’s legs should have more life in them. And he’s got the best clay-court skills of the two.
If Rublev can stand in like he has started doing and keep that position, taking the ball early he might make it. Feels like he needs to finish this in two sets.
Of course, Ruud is plenty savvy enough and will make his adjustments too.
Rublev the giant killer, in 2; and Tpas in 2.
Rublev v Tsitsi in the final
A fresher Tsitisipas in 2 but take nothing away from Evans; he’s playing the tennis of his life. He could achieve something big this year if he keeps this up.
Rublev in 3. Rudd is arguably the better clay court player and is playing great tennis also.
a question I’m asking myself now:
who will win a slam first, Tsitsipas or Rublev?
Tsitsipas, I reckon.
The biggest difference I could see between Casper and Andrey was in closing out the second set. Andrey did not tighten up, although Casper was getting momentum toward the close of set two. Andrey knew what to do and remained confident and loose when he needed to.
Congrqats Andrey! I’m more your fan now than before. Good luck vs King Arthur in the final 😛😜💪