Tsitsipas’ title defense in Monte Carlo ends

MANILA, Philippines — Italian Lorenzo Musetti beat a “heartbroken” Stefanos Tsitsipas 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 on Friday to knock out the holder and reach the semifinals of the Monte Carlo Masters.

Musetti fought back after losing the first set against the three-time tournament winner to tee up a Last 4 tie with Australian Alex de Minaur.

The 23-year-old claimed his first victory over the Greek former world No. 3 in five meetings.

“It has a special, let’s say, flavor not just because he’s the defending champion here, but because before today, I never won against him,” Musetti told reporters.

“Regarding the match of tomorrow, I think there is no favorite,” the world No. 16 added.

Tsitsipas missed out on defending his title having won in 2021, 2022 and last year.

“It’s difficult to accept,” Tsitsipas said.

Earlier, De Minaur produced a ruthless performance to dismantle an out-of-sorts Grigor Dimitrov 6-0, 6-0 in just 45 minutes, with the match finishing to a backdrop of boos from the crowd.

Carlos Alcaraz battled back from a set down to beat French rising star Arthur Fils in a gripping quarterfinal.

The four-time Grand Slam champion, targeting his first Masters title since winning in Indian Wells last year, saved three break points in the 11th game of the second set en route to a dramatic 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 victory.

“I think his level is high right now and he puts a lot of pressure on his opponents,” Alcaraz said of his beaten opponent.

“Today I could feel it but in some moments he just made a few mistakes and I tried to make the most of those points and wait for my chances.”

He will face unseeded fellow Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina on Saturday for a place in the final.