Casper Ruud upset Novak Djokovic for the sixth time on Saturday, setting up a title match against Stefanos Tsitsipas at the Monte Carlo Masters.
Ruud, the Norwegian eighth seed who was washed off the court by the world number one in a humiliating French Open final loss last year, advanced 6-4, 1-6, 6-4 in his semi-final after Djokovic double-faulted after saving two match points.
An energized Tsitsipas defeated world number two Jannik Sinner for only the second time this season, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, to advance to the final on Sunday.
“I’m super-happy, this is a day I will remember for a really long time,” said Ruud who had never taken a set off Djokovic in their five previous meetings.
“I’ve never beaten Novak and I’ve never beaten a world number one. I’m still in a little bit of shock.”
Ruud and Djokovic traded breaks in the final set, with the Norwegian getting the final word when Djokovic blinked first after just over two and a quarter hours.
“I was up and he came back, the top guys are good under pressure,” Ruud said. “I was just hoping the match would not slip away.
“In the last game I was hoping something or someone up above was listening… I was so happy to see that last ball sail along.”
On Sunday’s final, Ruud added: “Stef will be tough in the final but I will give it my all.”
Djokovic was competing in his first semi-final in Monte Carlo since he lifted his second title in 2015. He was hoping to reach a 59th Masters final.
“Congratulations to Casper. He played really good, especially in the beginning of the first and third set,” said the 36-year-old top seed.
“Of course I’m disappointed now, to lose a match like this… it was a close one.”
‘Great Day’
Tsitsipas’ victory interrupted Australian Open winner Sinner’s nine-match winning streak, which also included victories in Rotterdam and Miami this season.
“Today was a great day, I’m hoping for a good recovery and a fresh mind,” Tsitsipas told the crowd. “I hope to come out extra strong tomorrow.”
Sinner opened the fourth set with a break of serve, after being treated twice for a right knee injury.
However, he lost it in the eighth game after saving four break points, allowing Tsitsipas to tie at 4-4.
The Greek concluded by playing “tennis at the highest level that I’ve been able to play recently”.
Tsitsipas, ranked 12th, won the Monte Carlo title in 2021 and 2022, and has declared that he is returning to top form after dropping out of the top ten.
“It will help my confidence to have a win like this,” he went on to say. “I’m aiming for the top level again.”
Tsitsipas won the first set with a break in the third game, but the Italian rallied to level in the second.
Sinner broke for a 3-0 lead and battled to save five break points in a 13-minute marathon final game before tying the match on his second set point.
Sinner said a faulty third-set line call caused him to cramp and lose focus.
Instead of a double-fault, which would have handed the Italian a double break, the point went to Tsitsipas, who held service for 2-3.
After two more games, Sinner requested the trainer.
“It’s hard to accept it,” the Italian second seed said of the call. “I was playing really well at that time.”
“Everyone can make a mistake. Afterwards, I had cramps, most likely because of what happened, because it also affects your nerves.”