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Monte Carlo Masters: Sinner Shines, Defending Champion Rublev Exits
Published on April 12, 2023 – (AP News)
In a captivating display of Tennis, Clay Court Tennis, and the Monte Carlo Masters, young Italian sensation Jannik Sinner showcased his adaptability to the clay surface, while defending champion Andrey Rublev was surprisingly eliminated from the tournament.
Sinner, who has primarily dominated on aggressive hard courts, seamlessly transitioned to the softer clay, defeating Sebastian Korda 6-1, 6-2 in the second round. The 22-year-old Italian won an impressive 95% of points on his first serve and saved all three break points, improving his remarkable record to 23-1 this year. Sinner, who reached the semifinals at Monte Carlo last year, expressed his satisfaction with his performance, stating, “I moved quite well in these conditions. Every year it is tough to come here and perform well, but I am happy with the performance.“
On the other hand, Andrey Rublev, the reigning champion, faced a disappointing elimination after a 6-4, 6-4 loss to Alexei Popyrin. The sixth-seeded Rublev struggled, dropping his serve three times against the resilient Australian. Popyrin, who next faces fellow Australian Alex de Minaur, expressed his delight in beating the defending champion, saying, “I am feeling really comfortable on (clay) and happy to beat a guy who was in form, confident and the defending champ. It was an awesome match.“
In other results, two-time Monte Carlo champions Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas both progressed to the third round, with Tsitsipas routing Tomas Martin Etcheverry 6-1, 6-0. The 12th-seeded Tsitsipas will next face fifth-seeded Alexander Zverev in a highly anticipated clash.
The Monte Carlo Masters, played on the stunning clay courts of the Monte Carlo Country Club overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, continues to captivate tennis enthusiasts with its thrilling matches and unexpected results. As the tournament progresses, fans eagerly await to see which Tennis, Clay Court Tennis, and Monte Carlo Masters players will emerge victorious.
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