No. 5 in the world Stefanos Tsitsipas advanced to the quarterfinals of the Monte Carlo Masters on Thursday after defeating Laslo Djere of Serbia 7-5, 7-6 (7-1). Following his victory, the reigning champion will face either Lorenzo Musetti or Diego Schwartzman in the quarterfinals.
The game began on an equal footing, with both players winning their respective service games but failing to break their opponent. In reality, when the score was 4-3, Djere lost steam between his service games by committing three double faults, giving Tsitsipas break opportunities. However, the Greeks failed to take advantage of those opportunities, and the game was tied at 5-5, forcing a tie-breaker. Tsitsipas, on the other hand, won his service game to take a 6-5 lead, and then broke his opponent when it counted most to win the first set 7-5.
The set runs into the tie-breaker after both players win six games each. The deadlock continues in the second set, with both players winning five service games apiece. This is the second time the two players have met. Tsitsipas won 7-6, 7-6 in their first meeting earlier this year at the Acapulco Open in Mexico. The head to head is clearly Tsitsipas leading 2-0 among the two of them.
What is going to be next for Tsitsipas?
The world no. 5 will now move on to the quarterfinals and will look forward to defending his title.
Stefanos overcomes Laslo Djere 7-6(7) 7-6(5) in 2h13min after a low-quality match especially in the first set. Stef saved two set points at two different moments of the first set and managed to win it eventually.
Next is Wolf or Sonego.#PameStef 🇬🇷 #AMT2022 🇲🇽
— Stefanos Tsitsipas Family 🇺🇦 (@Tsitsifam) February 23, 2022
Stefanos Tsitsipas has had a strong season thus far, coming close to winning multiple trophies. However, he has yet to win an ATP title this year. His biggest performance in 2022 thus far has been reaching the finals of the ATP Rotterdam in February, when he was defeated in straight sets by Felix Auger Aliassime.
In addition, he appeared in two semi-finals and one quarter-final this year. He showed excellent form in his opening round encounter against Fognini at the Monte Carlo Masters and lost only three games in the match to win 6-3, 6-0. Looks like it will be a hard task for the next opponent to face him while he is in form.
Guess we will have to see how he will fare in the next round, as we wish him all the very best.
Bravo 💪 agori mou, Pame gera.
— Lucy Vinatea Muzzo (@LucyVinatea) February 23, 2022
Tsitsipas desplegando un tenis sobresaliente. Un tenis de lo que es, campeón de Montecarlo. El griego defiende título y va como un tiro esta semana sobre tierra batida.
Victoria 7-5 y 7-6[1] vs. Djere. Una víctima más a la lista. En R2 fue Fognini.
— Alberto Estévez Ingelmo (@albertoestevezi) April 14, 2022
Stefanos Tsitsipas continues his title defense in Monte Carlo, beating Laslo Djere 7-5, 7-6(1) to reach the QFs vs. Schwartzman or Musetti. Will need to get better…
[getty]
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) April 14, 2022
Tsitsipas has a significant margin on clay, he is very confortable on the BH wing which is a more significant weakness on HC
— AM22PM (@AM22PM) April 14, 2022
It was a very high quality match by both.
— LavanyaSingerDinesh🌺 (@VocalistLavanya) April 14, 2022
