Casper Ruud
delivered a stunning upset at the
Monte Carlo Masters
, overcoming top seed
Novak Djokovic
6-4, 1-6, 6-4 in a thrilling semi-final clash to advance to the title match.
Ruud's victory avenged his loss to Djokovic in last year's French Open final, setting up a highly-anticipated showdown with two-time champion
Stefanos Tsitsipas
.
In a rollercoaster encounter, Ruud seized an early advantage by breaking Djokovic's serve twice in the opening set.
Despite facing a formidable opponent in Djokovic, the Norwegian remained composed and held his nerve to claim the first set.
Djokovic responded emphatically in the second set, showcasing his champion's mentality by storming back to level the match. However, Ruud remained undaunted, demonstrating his resilience and determination to stay in contention.
As the match entered the decisive third set, Ruud capitalised on Djokovic's unforced errors to secure an early break and seize control of the proceedings. Maintaining his composure under pressure, Ruud maintained his advantage to close out the victory and book his place in the final.
Ruud's triumph marked a significant milestone in his career, ending his five-match losing streak against Djokovic and announcing his arrival as a force to be reckoned with on the
ATP Tour
.
With his impressive performance against the world number one, Ruud showcased his potential to compete at the highest level and contend for prestigious titles.
As he prepares to face Tsitsipas in the title match, Ruud will draw confidence from his hard-fought victory over Djokovic and aim to continue his impressive run at the Monte Carlo Masters. With both players vying for glory, the stage is set for an enthralling final showdown between two formidable competitors.
"This is a day I will remember for a long time. Beating a world number one is something I have never done," Ruud said in a post-match interview.
"You know how good these guys are under pressure... he saved so many break points. I was praying, please, let it be a double fault or something. And maybe someone was listening."
This year's Australian Open winner Sinner made a comeback in the second set after losing the first to Tsitsipas. He led 4-3 in the decider when leg cramps forced him to take a medical timeout.
The 22-year-old Italian continued but proved no match for Tsitsipas who won the next three games to clinch victory.
"It was tennis at the highest level that I have been able to play," Tsitsipas said.
"He is one of the toughest opponents I have faced so far... to find a way when there were not many, I am extremely proud of that."
The win over Sinner brought Tsitsipas back into the top 10 of the world rankings after dropping out for the first time since 2019 earlier this year.
(With Reuters inputs)
English (US) ·