Stefano Tsitsipas and Andrey Rublev stamped their authority here at Monte Carlo Masters to reach the finals and would be looking to earn their maiden ATP 1000 title.
Just about a week ago,a Nadal vs Djokovic finals seemed to be on the cards but just as the two greats departed,two of the NextGen warriors have ably taken up the mantle.While Tsitsipas comfortably saw off Dan Evans — who had beaten world No. 1 Novak Djokovic earlier in the tournament –winning his semi-final 6-2, 6-1,Rublev stamped his authority over the challenge of Casper Ruud 6-3,7-5 to ensure he will do battle against Tsitsipas in his first final at this level.
The final is scheduled to start at 2:30 pm local time.
“A dream of mine,” says Tsitsipas
Fourth seed Tsitsipas needed just over an hour to dispatch Britain’s Evans, who knocked out world number one Novak Djokovic in the last 16.
Also read:Monte Carlo 2021-Andrey Rublev stuns Nadal on clay in yet another masterclass
“I am indeed pleased with the performance,” said Tsitsipas.
“I found ways to play at my best. It was really difficult to maintain my level of consistency and I am really happy I managed to deal with all the different moments during the match.”
“It’s a dream of mine to be playing in the final,” he added.
Tsitsipas has yet to drop a set in Monte Carlo this week and is through to his third Masters 1000 final. He finished runner-up in Canada in 2018 and Madrid the following year.
Ruthless Rublev swats aside Casper Ruud-
The Russian claimed his first victory over Nadal (1-2) on the Spaniard’s favourite surface and after weathering a second-set comeback to triumph 6-4, 2-6, 6-2. It felt like a coming-of-age moment for the 23-year-old, who has an ATP Tour-best 24-4 match record in 2021.
And Rublev passed another big test in the next round, staying calm in order to back up the win against unseeded Casper Ruud 6-3, 7-5 and reach the championship match.
“This week looks like I’m really controlling my emotions [very well]. That’s why I’m doing well,” Rublev explained.
“That’s why I won the match with Robert when I was losing. That’s why I won the match against Rafa when he came back in [the] the second set. Even today [in] the second set, I come back because I didn’t go crazy. I just keep focused. I keep staying in the match. It turned around.”
Speaking about his upcoming finals agaisnt Tsitsipas,Rublev seemed excited but cautious.
“It is my first [ATP Masters 1000] final, so I am really happy,” Rublev said in his post-match interview, per the ATP website. “
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