Taylor Fritz beats defending champion Stefanos Tsitsipas in shock win to reach semi-finals in Monte Carlo

Taylor Fritz knocked out defending champion Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2 6-4 to seal his place in the semi-finals of the Monte Carlo Masters for the first time. Tsitsipas was on a 12-match winning streak in Monte Carlo heading into the clash with the American, but Fritz was able to overcome the world No. 2 in straight sets in one hour and 12 minutes.

Ad Fritz, who records his first career top-10 win on a clay court, will play No. 5 seed Andrey Rublev in the last four. ATP Monte CarloStruff shocks Ruud in Monte Carlo, Sinner and Tsitsipas throughYESTERDAY AT 14:19 «I thought my level today was really high,» Fritz said in his on-court interview.

«Beating him here gives me a lot of confidence and reassurance I need to know I can play well on clay. »I seemed to play well on the big points. I just took my chances.

I knew if I played too safe then he was going to be able to dictate with the forehand. «Even in the pressure moments I stuck to my strategy of pulling the trigger and trying not letting him get those forehands to dictate on.» Fritz will play Rublev on clay for the first time since they played each other nine years ago on the juniors tour. On facing the Russian next, Fritz said: «He's tough.

When we played that match in the juniors in Mexico it was more like sand we were playing on! »He's a great player and also a good friend. I'm excited for the match, he's tough." 'I'm still not prepared' — Nadal withdraws from Barcelona Open Djokovic beaten in fiery battle with stubborn Musetti in Monte Carlo The No. 8 seed got off to an excellent start against Tsitsipas with his backhand proving particularly effective.