Ruud won the first set against Djokovic with a score of 6-4, but Novak then showed his class and won the second set with a score of 6-1. But in the third set, the initiative went to Ruud. He manages to make the break and leads 4-1. But Djokovic was undeterred and the 24-time Grand Slam champion made it 4-4. However, the Norwegian scored a decisive break at a crucial moment and won the third set 6-4 after Djokovic double faulted on a match point.
This is the 36-year-old’s third defeat in a year, following those against Jannik Sinner in the semi-final of the Australian Open, Luca Nardi in the round of 16 at Indian Wells and now Ruud in Monte Carlo.
Whatever the result, Djokovic will retain his position as world number one for some time to come, as ATP number two Jannik Sinner also lost in the semi-finals on Saturday. Italian winner Stefanos Tsitsipas will face Ruud in the final on Sunday. While the Greek hopes to win his third title in Monte-Carlo, Ruud will aim for his first trophy during this Masters.
If Novak Djokovic had beaten Casper Ruud on Saturday, he could have competed for the title in Monte Carlo and won every Masters 1000 title at least three times. No other player has won every Masters tournament at least once. The Serbian treasure is only missing the third trophy in Monte Carlo.
Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer have won at least seven of their nine tournaments. Nadal never won the Miami Open or the Paris Masters, and Federer never won Monte Carlo or the Italian Open.
Djokovic remains the tennis player with the most ATP Masters 1000 titles – 40, followed by Nadal (36) and Federer (28).
Vyacheslav Gorbachev, Athletistic
Source: Sport
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