Rafa Nadal, Djokovic Remain On Collision Course in Monte-Carlo Tennis, Thiem Loss Clears The Way

Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns the ball to Taylor Fritz of US during their third round match at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters tournament in Roquebrune Cap Martin, France, 18 April 2019. EPA-EFE/SEBASTIEN NOGIER

 

 

By Ricky Dimon

 

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic were already considerable favorites to reach the final of the Monte-Carlo Masters. With Dominic Thiem’s exit on Thursday, Nadal vs. Djokovic becomes a borderline certainty.

 

Thiem, the 2018 French Open runner-up who also triumphed in Indian Wells last month even though clay is his best surface, got upset by Dusan Lajovic 6-3, 6-3 during quarterfinal action.

 

“I’m very happy today,” Lajovic assured. “I didn’t expect this, especially not in two sets against a player like Dominic. This was for sure my best match in my life, I think. I produced some great tennis from the beginning until the end of the match and I’m very happy to be in the quarterfinals.

 

“It was very windy today and it was not easy to hit the ball cleanly. I had more success there and I was moving the ball through the court very well, I was able to dominate with my forehand today, and this was the key in the match.”

 

Next up for the unseeded Serb is qualifier Lorenzo Sonego.

 

Meanwhile, Nadal took care of Grigor Dimitrov 6-4, 6-1 and Djokovic defeated Taylor Fritz 6-3, 6-0. Friday’s quarterfinals will pit Nadal against Guido Pella and Djokovic against Daniil Medvedev.

 

Draw

Novak Djokovic…..BYE…..d. Kohlschreiber…..d. Fritz
Daniil Medvedev…..d. Sousa…..d. Albot…..d. Tsitsipas

Dusan Lajovic…..d. Jaziri…..d. Goffin…..d. Thiem
Lorenzo Sonego…..d. Seppi…..d. Khachanov…..d. Norrie

Borna Coric…..d. Hurkacz…..d. Munar…..d. Herbert
Fabio Fognini…..d. Rublev….W/O…..d. Zverev

Guido Pella…..d. Djere…..d. Cilic…..d. Cecchinato
Rafael Nadal…..BYE…..d. Bautista Agut…..d. Dimitrov

 

Seeds

1. Novak Djokovic: vs. Medvedev in QF
2. Rafael Nadal: vs. Pella in QF
3. Alexander Zverev: l. to Fognini in R3
4. Dominic Thiem: l. to Lajovic in R3
5. Kei Nishikori: l. to Herbert  in R2
6. Stefanos Tsitsipas: l. to Medvedev in R3
7. Marin Cilic: l. to Pella in R2
8. Karen Khachanov: l. to Sonego in R2
9. Borna Coric: vs. Fognini in QF
10. Daniil Medvedev: vs. Djokovic in QF
11. Marco Cecchinato: l. to Pella in R3
12. Nikoloz Basilashvili: l. to Fucsovics in R1
13. Fabio Fognini: vs. Coric in QF
14. Gael Monfils: WD
15. Denis Shapovalov: l to. Struff in R1
16. David Goffin: l. to Lajovic in R2
17. Edmund: l. to Schwartzman in R1

 

Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand. You can follow him on twitter at @Dimonator.