David Goffin recorded the biggest win of his career on Friday when he broke a 14-match losing streak against the Top 3 in the Emirates ATP Rankings with a hard-fought and high-quality 6-2, 3-6, 7-5 victory over Novak Djokovic at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters. Tenth-seeded Belgian Goffin recovered from a 2-4 deficit in the deciding set and sealed victory on his fifth match point when second seed and two-time former champion Djokovic struck a backhand into the net. "I don't know why, but the atmosphere on the court was really nice. It was a really special match and the best win of my career,” said Goffin. “It doesn't matter how you played before against [Djokovic]. You just have to do...
Lucas Pouille came within two points of losing against Uruguayan No. 16 seed Pablo Cuevas on Friday, but fought back from a 3-5 deficit in the deciding set to win the quarter-final 6-0, 3-6, 7-5 in one hour and 58 minutes. The No. 11 seed kept hopes alive of a first French titlist at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters since Cedric Pioline hoisted the trophy in 2000 (d. Dominik Hrbaty). "I believed I could win until the end. Even when I was down, I believed I still could turn it around. That made the difference,” said Pouille. “I felt the tension, but he felt the tension too. I was very happy I remained solid.” Pouille, who reached his third ATP World...
Albert Ramos-Vinolas continued his run of form at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters on Friday when he reached his first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 semi-final in beating Monaco resident and fifth seed Marin Cilic. Ramos-Vinolas, who is contesting his fifth clay-court tournament of the year (15-5 match record), experienced no let-up from Thursday’s victory over World No. 1 Andy Murray when he defeated Cilic 6-2, 6-7(5), 6-2 in two hours and 33 minutes. The Spaniard, who is currently at a career-high No. 24 in the Emirates ATP Rankings, picked up his lone ATP World Tour title at the SkiStar Swedish Open (d. Verdasco) in July 2016. Last month, he finished runner-up at the Brasil Open to Pablo Cuevas, a player...
The quarter-finals have been locked in for doubles at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters after three teams recorded impressive victories on Thursday. Third seeds Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares scored a comfortable 6-3, 6-2 win over Tommy Haas and Treat Huey. The British-Brazilian duo didn’t face a break point en route to wrapping up the match in 59 minutes. Next up for them is the wild card pairing of Romain Arneodo and Hugo Nys. Listen To Tennis Radio Watch Live On TennisTV Watch Full Match Replays Feliciano Lopez and Marc Lopez were just as dominant in their 6-4, 6-2 win over Florin Mergea and Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi. The Spaniards now face fourth seeds Lukasz Kubot and Marcelo Melo for a spot in...
Novak Djokovic showcased the temperament of a champion on Thursday night just as victory in his third-round clash against Pablo Carreno Busta appeared to be eluding him at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters. The second seed and two-time former champion saved two break points in a tense ninth game of the deciding set en route to a 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 victory over No. 15 seed Carreno Busta, which lasted two hours and 26 minutes. "It's great to overcome the big challenge presented to me today with this kind of win, even though I haven't played the way I wanted. He’s very difficult to play against. He's always making you play an extra ball,” said Djokovic. “It’s a win I’ll take as...
