BEVERLY HILLS, April 16, (THEWILL) – The ongoing Monte Carlo Masters has taken on more than an interesting attraction for tennis fans as it continues to serve up one upset after another. On Friday, Andrey Rublev knocked out 11-time champion Rafael Nadal in a gripping three-set match, for the day’s serving of upsets, to reach the semi-finals of the Masters ATP competition.
THEWILL reported how, on the other side of the draw, the British tennis player Daniel Evans beat Novak Djokovic earlier in the week, to serve the Serb his first loss of the year.
The world Number Eight expertly capitalised on a below-par display from Nadal to take the opening set and then, having been pegged back, broke three times in the third set to clinch a 6-2 4-6 6-2 triumph over the Spaniard.
The Russian will contend against Casper Ruud in the semis. Ruud beat 2019 champion Fabio Fognini in straight sets 6-4 6-3 for another surprising result at Monte Carlo.
At Djokovic’s ouster, fans of Nadal were already giving him the trophy as he became the strong favourite to win it but, having dropped only five games in his first two matches, he was slow out of the blocks against Rublev, who was playing better.
Nadal’s 13 unforced errors, including five double faults, contributed to Rublev’s performance to help the Russian take the opening set in 38 minutes flat. Rublev broke again to start the second set and seemed in firm control of the contest squarely.
But, Nadal managed to save three break points to avoid falling 4-1 behind but could not take chances of his own in an engrossing sixth game as Rublev fended off four break points masterfully. Rublev had another break point in the next game and his failure to take any of his opportunities proved costly because Nadal reeled off four games in a row to balance the sets.
However, to the Russian’s advantage, just as the momentum looked to be with Nadal for the first time, it quickly swung back Rublev’s way allowing him to break in the opening game of the third set. Nadal responded immediately, as he so often does, but Rublev won the next four games, breaking twice more, and sealed a memorable victory with his first match point.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
