Tsitsipas Shocked By Fritz At Monte Carlo Masters, Medvedev Falls To Rune

Defending champion Stefanos Tsitsipas was shocked by Taylor Fritz on the red clay today at the Monte Carlo Masters in quarterfinal action.

The American Fritz, not known for his clay prowess, comfortably dismissed Tsitsipas who had won the title the last two years 6-2, 6-4.

“I thought my level today was very high. I think I played a very good match. Beating him here gives me a lot of confidence,” Fritz said to the ATP. “It has given me the reassurance I need to know I can play well on clay.

“I seemed to play well on the big points. I took my chances. I knew that if I played too safe he would be able to get around and dictate on the forehand. So even in the pressure moments I pulled the trigger.”

The 10th-ranked Fritz finished dropping just just 6 points on first serve, was broken just once while breaking serve on four of five chances. Fritz won the last seven points and enjoyed four love holds. It was his first Top 10 win on clay.

Fritz never trailed en route to his first clay Masters semifinal and his first win over the Greek.

“I just seemed off. My serve was not working very well today, and against opponents like Taylor, you have to serve well,” Tsitsipas told the ATP. “I was aware of that during the match. I just couldn’t find the rhythm.

“I am much better than this and I’m disappointed I was not able to show my game today. I tried to fight on the second set. It’s a good lesson. It’s not a happy day for me, but it’s a good lesson.”

Tsitsipas added that his shoulder still isn’t right.

Fritz will now face Andrey Rublev who was a 6-1, 7-6(7-5) victor over German qualifier Jan-Lennard Struff. Fritz leads 4-2 taking the Russian down most recently last summer in Cincinnati.

After a tough win late yesterday, the red hot Daniil Medvedev return but got the hook courtesy of Holger Rune who ran by the Russian 6-3, 6-4 to reach his maiden clay Masters semifinal.

The 19-year-old broke early in both sets and that was all he needed.

“It wasn’t easy for sure, it’s always tough to play Daniil,” Rune said. “It was actually my first time playing against him in a real match, but we’ve practiced tons of times. I have huge respect for everything he’s done. The last week it was not easy to stop him but I’m happy I managed to do it.”

Medvedev was still with the week.

“It was not bad,” said Medvedev said of his week. “I beat good players on clay. Yesterday evening was magic. It was very tough on clay. It’s not easy to win matches like this.

“[Rune] played very well. I could have played a bit better, but if we talk about clay again, I’m not as at ease as he is on clay. I believe he’s better on that surface, and I think in the following years he’s going to be very strong on clay. So overall, it’s very positive. There are other big tournaments coming up. We’ll see what I do there, but I’m very happy with this tournament in Monte Carlo.”

Rune will now face Jannik Sinner who advanced to his third straight Masters semifinal cruising past Lorenzo Musetti 6-2, 6-2. Rune was victorious in their sole meeting in the 2022 Sofia semifinals.

SATURDAY MONTE CARLO SCHEDULE
Court Rainier III Starts At 11:30 Am
Kevin Krawietz/Tim Puetz vs (WC) Romain Arneodo/Sam Weissborn

Not Before 1:30 Pm
(5) Andrey Rublev vs (8) Taylor Fritz

Not Before 3:30 Pm
(7) Jannik Sinner vs (6) Holger Rune
Fabrice Martin/Andreas Mies vs (5) Ivan Dodig/Austin Krajicek

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