The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Top seeds Djokovic, Sinner sent packing in Monte Carlo
Stefanos Tsitsipas stayed on course for a third Monte Carlo Masters title after beating a tiring Jannik Sinner 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 in the semifinals Saturday, handing the Australian Open champion only his second defeat of the season.
The 12th-seeded Greek plays No. 8 Casper Ruud, a two-time French Open runner-up who defeated top seed Novak Djokovic 6-4, 1-6, 6-4 in the second semifinal.
The second-seeded Sinner, who already has three titles this year, looked in control in the deciding set when he led 4-3 with a service game to follow. The 22-year-old Italian smiled to his coaching team after winning one point with an audacious sliced drop shot.
Italian fans crossing the nearby border made Sinner feel at home, but Tsitsipas enjoys strong support here after winning in 2021 and 2022.
Tsitsipas, who took Djokovic to five sets in the French Open final in 2021, showed trademark endurance and clawed his way back as Sinner started fading.
Sinner called for a medical timeout during the changeover, and a trainer massaged his right knee and thigh. Although a smiling Sinner shared a joke with the trainer, things got more serious in the next game when Tsitsipas broke his serve at the fifth attempt to level the score.
Sinner limped a little at the end of the next game and clutched the hamstring area at the back of his left leg, then had both legs massaged. His movement was restricted in the ensuing game, and Tsitsipas clinched victory on his first match point when Sinner’s backhand from the back of the court went long.