Apr 13, 2024, 1:42 p.m. ET
A dream match was the one he lived Casper Ruud (10th in the ATP ranking) in the semifinals of the Monte-Carlo Masters 1000 against Novak Djokovic (1st). In two and a quarter hours of match, the Norwegian beat the Serbian 6-4, 1-6 and 6-4 to reach his second final in a tournament of this category.
The Norwegian defeated the Serbian in three sets to reach the final of the Masters 1000. EFE/EPA
From more to less and from less to more. That was the way in which Ruud managed to take the reins of a game that seemed impossible on paper. His negative record of 0-5 against Nole did not bode well, although on clay, the 25-year-old tennis player presents his best tennis.
While in the first set a great dominance could be seen on his part in the face of the world number one’s constant errors, this was not the case in the second set, when the situation turned around to impose the hierarchy worthy of Novak. However, the outcome of this story ended as it began: Ruud once again became the owner of the game and the pass to the decisive stage.
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A triumph that will remain forever in the memory of the Oslo native, who managed to beat a Top 1 for the first time, being the most important victory of his career, also adding that he reached his second Masters 1000 final (2-6 in SF of M1000). Besides, He ended a streak of 11 straight losses against Top 3 players.
For his part, Djokovic is still unable to fight for the title in Monte-Carlo. The last time he achieved it was in 2015 when he won the championship. As if that were not enough, he has not achieved an M1000 trophy on this surface since Roma 2022.
Of course, this has not been the best start to the season for Nole. Without titles or finals so far, the Serbian will have to face the following competitions in a different way if he wants to get ready to Roland Garros. Anyway, In 2022 something similar happened: Djokovic just won his first trophy in the aforementioned Rome. That season he would finish as the top winner along with Carlos Alcaraz (5 titles each).
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Meanwhile, Ruud is already focusing on what will be his second final of Masters 1000the first in powder, before Stefanos Tsitsipas (12º). The balance is favorable for the Norwegian with two victories and only one defeat.
The Monte-Carlo Masters 1000 can be followed live through STAR+.
2024-04-13 17:42:00
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