Stefanos Tsitsipas Triumphs at Monte-Carlo Semifinals

Stefanos Tsitsipas made it to the Monte-Carlo Masters final after achieving an epic three-set victory on Jannik Sinner during Saturday’s semifinal game.

The Greek outmaneuvered his Italian opponent with his heavy forehand and rallied from 2-4 in the third set to advance after two hours and 38 minutes.

Tsitsipas eventually captured the biggest win of his season, defeating World No. 2 Sinner 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 to move to within one win of capturing his third title in the Principality.

Ο Στέφανος Τσιτσιπας προκρίθηκε στον τρίτο του τελικό στο Μοντε Καρλο μετά τη σπουδαία επικράτηση επι του Γιανικ Σινερ στον πρώτο ημιτελικό της διοργάνωσης #tsitsipas pic.twitter.com/ZsKgAwabuZ

— Tennis24 (@tennis24gr) April 13, 2024

The Greek tennis champion is already a two-time Monte-Carlo champion, having claimed this title in 2021 and 2022. He will now achieve his third title at the tournament’s final game on Sunday.

In what will be his seventh ATP Masters 1000 final, Tsitsipas will either face top seed Novak Djokovic or Norwegian Casper Ruud, who play in the semifinals later on Saturday.

Fiercely competitive game for Tsitsipas at Monte Carlo

Tsitsipas began quickly in front of a vocal crowd on Court Rainier III and gained an early break to lead 2-1. He was dominant behind his first serve, winning 13/14 points on his opening delivery to limit Sinner to zero break point opportunities on return.

The Italian responded at the start of the second set, however, upping his intensity and making more returns to race 3-0 ahead. He struck 14 winners in the second set according to Infosys ATP Stats and produced his best level when serving out for 5-3 as he fended off five break points in the game to level.

Both players continued to improve as the match went into the third set with Sinner racing into a 4-1 lead. However, the Italian seemed to tweak his knee in the seventh game of the set, receiving treatment at 4-3. Tsitsipas came out firing on the resumption, break immediately to level for 4-4 before he hit with brutal power off both wings to seal a statement win as Sinner quickly faded physically.

“It was tennis at its highest level that I have been able to play. Jannik was an extremely difficult opponent and it can be seen throughout the year so far. He has been very consistent and I could see that throughout today with his game,” Tsitsipas commented after the critical face-off.

“He is one of the toughest opponents I have faced so far and to find ways when there weren’t that many, I am proud of that. He gave me a very difficult game and [the] way I overcame it is true excellence.”

Tsitsipas back into the Top 10 ranking

The win against Sinner, who struggled with a leg injury in the third set, brought Tsitsipas back in to the top 10 of the PIF ATP Live Rankings, having dropped out for the first time since 2019 in February.

“It helps a lot knowing I have a win like this under my belt. Having a win like this and getting to the levels of tennis again brings a lot of satisfaction to me,” Tsitsipas said. “When there is a lot of work put in each day these are the type of matches you are aiming for.”

Tsitsipas now leads the second seed 6-3 in the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series with his victory against the Italian his first Top 3 win since 2022, when he beat Daniil Medvedev in Cincinnati.