Stefanos Tsitsipas continued his recent dominance at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters on Thursday when he brushed past Nuno Borges 6-1, 6-1 to clinch his 50th clay-court ATP Masters 1000 victory. Of those 50 wins, 22 have come in Monte-Carlo, where the Greek is a three-time champion. If Tsitsipas captures a fourth title, he will break a tie with Ilie Nastase, Bjorn Borg, and Thomas Muster and become the second most successful player in tournament history behind only 11-time champion Rafael Nadal.
"Most games were really close," Tsitsipas said in his on-court interview. "I felt most of the games were ending at the 40/30 score, there was a lot of action. I don't think the score resembles the match. There was a lot more than the score shows. We both tried to push each other to the limit. He was maybe unable to take advantage of certain opportunities and I handled them much better than I expected."
Nothing but smiles from the defending champ 😃@steftsitsipas cruises to a 6-1 6-1 victory over Borges.@ROLEXMCMASTERS | #RolexMonteCarloMasters
Competing under the sunset on Court Rainier III, Tsitsipas overpowered Borges with his weight of shot. The 26-year-old demonstrated great footwork to dictate on his forehand, pulling the World No. 43 from corner to corner for the majority of the 67-minute clash. Tsitsipas, who saved all five break points he faced in the first set according to Infosys ATP Stats, has won all 15 matches he has played in The Principality against players outside the Top 20 in the PIF ATP Rankings.
Seeking his second title of the year (Dubai), the sixth seed will next meet Italian Lorenzo Musetti. "I know I have scored good wins here and played some good tennis," Tsitsipas said. "I want to come back onto this court and do more and accept the new challenges. I am just trying to take it match by match. I want to create way more memories on this court and I want to play better tomorrow against Lorenzo, who is a great clay-court player."
Musetti eliminated countryman Matteo Berrettini 6-3, 6-3 to reach his first Masters 1000 quarter-final since 2023, when he also reached the last eight in The Principality. The 23-year-old, up two spots to No. 14 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, has often found his best level in Monte-Carlo, having defeated Novak Djokovic two years ago.
In his third Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting with Berrettini, Musetti committed just nine unforced errors compared to 44 from his countryman, who was unable to back up his victory against top seed Alexander Zverev. Musetti is 12-2 on clay since last July, highlighted by his bronze medal at the Paris Olympics and his final run at the ATP 250 in Umag.
Tsitsipas' victory not only marks a significant milestone in his career but also reaffirms his status as a top contender in the clay season, especially as he gears up for the upcoming French Open. His performance against Borges showcased not just skill but also strategic prowess, as he controlled the pace and rhythm of the match effectively.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on the next match against Musetti, who is known for his agility and finesse on clay. Tsitsipas will need to maintain his form and focus to overcome the challenge posed by the young Italian. Fans are eagerly anticipating this clash, with both players having shown exceptional talent and determination throughout the tournament.
With the Monte-Carlo Masters being one of the most prestigious events on the ATP calendar, Tsitsipas' journey is being closely watched not just by fans but by fellow players and analysts alike. His potential to break records and make history adds an extra layer of excitement to the competition.
The stage is set for an exhilarating quarter-final showdown as Tsitsipas looks to advance further and solidify his legacy in the sport. The anticipation is palpable as he prepares to take on Musetti, a match that promises to deliver high-stakes drama and thrilling tennis.
