Monte Carlo Masters 2023: Andrey Rublev fights back to beat Taylor Fritz in rain-delayed semi-final

Andrey Rublev came from a set down to battle past Taylor Fritz in a rain-delayed Monte Carlo Masters semi-final victory and take a step closer to his first ATP 1000 title. The fifth seed triumphed 5-7 6-1 6-3 in the first meeting on clay between the pair, but the match was suspended for almost two hours in the third set due to a downpour.

Ad Rublev will now compete in his second Monte Carlo final in three years on Sunday against either Jannik Sinner or Holger Rune, after finishing as runner-up to Stefanos Tsitsipas in 2021. ATP Monte CarloFlawless Fritz shocks defending champion Tsitsipas to reach semi-finalsYESTERDAY AT 12:44 «It was really tough, especially against Taylor,» Rublev said after the match.

«I lost the past three times [against him] I think, [including] in Indian Wells in the semi-finals. It was tough mentally to play against him because I was thinking if I would have [a chance].

»I started really well and then I was up a break and then he broke me back, but I knew I would have chances. In the end, we had a great match and I am pleased with the win." There were 13 breaks of serve in a topsy-turvy match, but Rublev endured by hitting 26 winners to Fritz’s 21 and keeping his unforced error count to 16 against the American’s 26.

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