Rune Sinks Sinner, Will Battle Rublev For Monte Carlo Masters Title

The first clay Masters title of 2023 is set in a new champion in Monte Carlo will be crowned between Andrey Rublev and Holger Rune.

Rublev was the first to make the title match on semifinal Saturday. The Russian, a former finalist on Monaco, came from a set down to defeat the 8th-seeded Taylor Fritz 5-7, 6-1, 6-3.

“It was really tough, especially against Taylor,” Rublev said. “I lost past three times I think, in Indian Wells in the semi-finals. It was tough mentally to play against him because I was thinking if I would have [a chance].

“I started really well and then I was up a break and then he broke me back, but I knew I would have chances. In the end we had a great match and I am pleased with the win.”

Rublev dropped just six points on first serve the last two sets. He led early in the match 2-0 and served for it at 5-4 before losing the last three games.

Things turned around for Rublev in the second and then in the third Rublev grabbed another quick break. With Fritz reeling, the rains came stopping the affair for nearly two hours. Fritz played better in the return but it wasn’t enough in his first clay semifinal.

Rublev makes his 19th career final. He is seeking his 13th career title, first since 22 Gijon (d Korda) and first in three tries in a Masters title match.

Rune followed Rublev coming from a set down himself to deny Jannik Sinner 1-6, 7-5, 7-5.

“It was quite unbelievable,” Rune said to the ATP. “Jannik started firing, hitting a lot of winners and he has been in good form the past few months. I had to dig deep and find solutions, which I did well. It was fun to play like this.”

Rune was just three of 14 on break points but make the conversions count breaking to win the second and then the match. With help from a rain delay down 3-0, Sinner nearly came back in the second leveling from 2-5 down but the run ran out of steam.

Rune makes his 6th career final and second at the Masters title after winning Paris last fall. He is now 2-0 against Sinner.

Rublev and the 19-year-old Rune have split their two tour-level meetings with Rulbev winning most recently at the Australian Open.

“I expect for myself to push full. It’s the last push, it’s the last match of the tournament,” said Rune. “He had three sets today as well, so he must be feeling the legs a little bit, I hope. I don’t know. You know, it’s going to be great.

“We played each other twice. It’s 1-1 head-to-head, so it’s going to be interesting, for sure.”

Added Rublev, “Just to do the same thing like I did all the other days. Relax, do the treatment, have dinner, and that’s it. Not even thinking that I’m having something tomorrow.”

SUNDAY MONTE CARLO SCHEDULE
Court Rainier III Starts At 12:00 Noon
(5) Ivan Dodig/Austin Krajicek vs (WC) Romain Arneodo/Sam Weissborn

Not Before 2:30 Pm
(6) Holger Rune vs Andrey Rublev

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