Madness in Monte Carlo! Very few people would have thought that the marathon thriller between Alexander Zverev (ATP 3) and Janek Şener (ATP 12) could still top. But the duel between Stefanos Tsitsipas and Diego Schwartzman (ATP 16) can only be described in one word: roller coaster.
First, Tsitsipas swept through Schwartzman like a 6:2 hurricane in the first set. The spectators remaining in the stadium are preparing for a short match. In fact, the world number five is leading 5-2 in a second and working on the win. But then Tsitsipas walks away from the game completely, and the body language disappears. The Argentine managed to catch up to 7:6 and pull away 4:0 in the decider.
Almost out of nowhere, the defending hero somehow finds his way back into the game and shows great willpower on his part. Tsitsipas has won six games in a row, and his match point dive is just one of the amazing points in a great match. After the victory was achieved (6:2, 6:7, 6:4), the Greeks did not have the strength to celebrate. On Saturday, he will play Alexander Zverev in the final.
The first semi-final of the Masters for Davidovich Fokina
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (ATP 46) continues to play well in Monte Carlo. After his thrilling second-round victory over Novak Djokovic (ATP 1), the Spaniard reached the semi-finals of the Masters 1000 for the first time. beat Taylor Fritz (24, ATP 13) 2:6, 6:4, 6:3.
The 22-year-old confidently takes to the field against the American favorite. However, the first sentence is something clear in Fritz’s favour. Also because Davidovich Fokina is very negligent in his break chances. His opponent does a better job and rules the lane.
But the Spaniard resists and inspires the crowd with his hard-earned precision balls. When the score was 4: 4, he managed the decisive break in the second set. As a result, he could no longer stand this.
“I am so happy”
Momentum changes and Fritz runs out. He can still make up for the first break deficit in the critical set, when he delivers the break to 3:4 shortly thereafter, he can no longer fight defeat. As with their first meeting in 2019 – also in the sand – American Davidovich Fokina must congratulate the victory. The Spaniard uses the second match ball after 2:24 hours.
“I am very happy,” Davidovich Fokina says in the field interview. “The feelings of being in the semi-finals are so great.” Now the premiere of the semi-finals is coming. “Being the world number one gives you a lot of self-confidence – physically, mentally and technically,” said Davidovich Fokina.
The self-confidence he also needs for his next mission. Gregor Demetro (ATP 29) awaits him in the semi-finals. The 30-year-old Bulgarian threw Paul Hubert Hurkacz (25, ATP 14) out of the tournament with 6:4, 3:6, 7:6 (7:2).
Alexander Zverev (24) is also along. The German world number three and Italy’s Yannick Sener (20, ATP 12) are both asking for everything. Three hours and seven minutes later, Zverev won this groundbreaking movie 5:7, 6:3, 7:6 (7:5).
ATP in Monte Carlo: So Djokovic lost to Spaniard Fokina(01:32)
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