Stefanos Tsitsipas is one set away from retaining his Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters 1000 title after winning the opening set of the final 6-3 against Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina on Sunday.
The Greek, who is appearing in his fourth championship match at this level, is aiming to become the sixth player to win back-to-back Monte Carlo titles in the Open Era, joining Rafael Nadal (2005-12, 2016-18), Juan Carlos Ferrero (2002-03), Thomas Muster (1995-96), Bjorn Borg (1979-1980) and Ilie Nastase (1971-1973).
In a standout week, the third seed has produced consistent and aggressive tennis en route to the final. Tsitsipas overcame 2019 titlist Fabio Fognini, Laslo Djere and second seed Alexander Zverev in straight sets, but survived a major scare in the quarter-finals against Diego Schwartzman, rallying from 0-4 in the third set to advance.
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The 23-year-old, who defeated Andrey Rublev in the championship match in the Principality last season, will climb to No. 2 in the ATP Race To Turin on Monday. Tsitsipas is bidding to capture his eighth tour-level title and first of the season, with his most recent triumph coming in Lyon last May.
In a fast start, Davidovich Fokina showed little sign of nerves on Court Rainier III as he started well, quickly finding his range on his forehand from the baseline to earn an early break. However, Tsitsipas quickly responded as he hit with greater depth, firing a forehand past the Spaniard to break back for 2-2.
The Greek then continued to impose his heavy-hitting game on Davidovich Fokina, pulling the 22-year-old from corner to corner as he won four of the next five games to move ahead after 31 minutes.
Davidovich Fokina is competing in his first tour-level final having enjoyed a dream week in Monte Carlo. The 22-year-old has overcome Marcos Giron, World No. 1 Novak Djokovic, David Goffin, Indian Wells titlist Taylor Fritz and 2018 semi-finalist Grigor Dimitrov this week and is projected to rise to No. 19 in the ATP Rankings with victory or No. 27 with defeat on Monday.
The World No. 46 is aiming to become the first unseeded Monte Carlo champion since Thomas Muster in 1992 and also the first player to clinch their maiden tour-level title at a Masters 1000 event since qualifier Albert Portas triumphed in Hamburg in 2001.
Source Tennis – ATP World Tour
