Monte Carlo Masters: Novak Djokovic loses in semis as title-less run in 2024 extends
World No.1 Novak Djokovic continued his trophy-less run in 2024, losing to Casper Ruud on Saturday, 13 April.
Playing in the semi-final of the Monte Carlo Masters, Djokovic lost to the Norwegian star in a three-set battle. Djokovic has been in horrific form in the 2024 season, failing to win a single trophy so far.
On the day, Djokovic lost the first set 4-6 but made a tremendous comeback straightaway. Djokovic won the second set 6-4 but ended up getting outclassed by Ruud in the third and final set of the match. In his previous appearance at the Indian Wells, back in March, Djokovic was beaten by Lucky Loser Lucas Nardi in the Round of 32.
Djokovic, who lost the Australian Open semi-final to Stefanos Tsitsipas, had earlier said that he was hoping to quickly break his ‘negative cycle’ with a victory in the coming weeks, hitting at his participation in Miami. Notably, it was the first time since 2019 that Djokovic competed at Indian Wells.
“No titles this year, that’s not something I’m used to. I was starting the season most of my career with a Grand Slam win or, you know, Dubai win, or any tournament,” Djokovic had said.
“I guess every trophy that eventually comes my way is going to be great, obviously to break the kind of negative cycle a little bit I’m having in the last three, four tournaments where I haven’t really been close to my best,” he had added after losing at the Indian Wells.
RUUD VS TSITSIPAS IN FINAL
Casper Ruud set up the final against red-hot Stefanos Tsitsipas. Two-time champion Tsitsipas stunned second seed Jannik Sinner 6-4 3-6 6-4 to advance to the final of the Monte-Carlo Masters on Saturday.
The 25-year-old Greek, who has won the title in 2021 and 2022, kept his cool after a near-flawless display in the opening set to stop Sinner from producing a stirring comeback after the Italian roared back to take a 3-0 lead in the second set.
Sinner continued to build momentum after levelling things up and raced to a 4-3 lead in the decider before an injury on his right leg forced him to take a medical timeout. The 22-year-old Italian continued the match but proved no match for Tsitsipas who re-asserted himself to win three games in a row and clinched the match.
“It was tennis at the highest level that I have been able to play,” Tsitsipas said after the match.
“He is one of the toughest opponents I have faced so far… to find a way when there were not many, I am extremely proud of that,” concluded the Greek player.