Serbian Novak Djokovic crashed into the semifinals of the ATP Masters 1000 in Monte Carlo. Third tournament this season, new disappointment for the world number one. Dethroned at the Australian Open, chased by Luca Nardi in the third round of Indian Wells, he also fell in his official residence, against an opponent he had defeated on the previous five occasions.
Norwegian Casper Ruud, 25 years old and world no final on Sunday, at 3 pm.
Ruud lost his eleven matches against top 3 rivals, all 25 sets played. He broke the barrier at the expense of Djokovic, who struggled to recover from 1-4 down in the third set, but a massive miss with a smash and a certain double fault closed out their contest in Monte Carlo.
Champion in 2013 and 2015, he returns after nine years in the semis of this event, his first step towards Roland Garros, his goal and where he will defend his crown.
For Ruud, a victim himself in Paris, the chance to win the ATP Masters 1000. He lost in the Miami 2022 final against Carlos Alcaraz. He will be chasing his eleventh ATP crown, in the 21st final.
They will face Tsitsipas, winner of this competition in 2021 and 2022. Both will go to the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell-Trofeo Conde de Godó next week, as will the Russian Andrey Rublev, who was expelled from the Monegasque Principality.
Ruud prevailed in the series 2-1, although they have not met since Los Cabos 2023, a match dominated by his father’s pupil Christian Ruud and Pedro Clar, his link to the Rafa Nadal Academy.
Monte Carlo expects a Djokovic-Sinner final. Tsitsipas and Ruud appeared.
Source: La Verdad
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