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<\/a><\/p>\nMONTE CARLO (Reuters) – Daniil Medvedev beat Alexander Zverev to book a spot in the quarter-finals, while world number one Novak Djokovic was stunned by Lorenzo Musetti on Thursday in the third round of Monte Carlo Masters.<\/p>\n
Djokovic’s quest for a record-extending 39th Masters trophy was prolonged on Thursday after falling to a 4-6 7-5 6-4 defeat at the hands of Musetti.<\/p>\n
Djokovic’s last meeting with the Italian on clay was a gruelling Roland Garros clash in 2021, in which he battled back from two sets down to win, but this time it was Musetti that claimed a comeback victory in windy conditions.<\/p>\n
Both players struggled on their serve in a contest littered with 15 breaks of serve, but Djokovic appeared to have the match in hand as he comfortably took the first set.<\/p>\n
However, Musetti refused to go down without a fight and the Italian stepped on the gas in the second set to level the topsy-turvy encounter.<\/p>\n
Not even a lengthy halt in play due to rain could dampen Musetti’s momentum, and the 21-year-old once again took advantage of a weak serving performance from Djokovic to break and take the win.<\/p>\n
“I’m struggling not to cry. It was a really long match, not easy conditions. It was a bit windy, cold,” Musetti said. “I’m really proud of myself. The rallies were long, it was a tough, physical battle. Beating Novak is something remarkable for me.”<\/p>\n
Musetti will next face fellow Italian Jannik Sinner, who beat Hubert Hurkacz.<\/p>\n
In the last act of the evening, Medvedev continued his impressive form this season with a 3-6 7-5 7-6(7) thrilling win over Zverev in the 14th chapter of their long-running rivalry.<\/p>\n
A month after defeating Zverev in the last 16 at Indian Wells, the winner of four hardcourt titles this year recovered from a set down to beat the German once again in what was his first clay clash.<\/p>\n
After winning the first set, Zverev was 5-4 serving for the match in the second when Medvedev earned a crucial break and won three straight games to force a decider.<\/p>\n
The 27-year-old Russian claimed his 31st win of 2023 after saving two matchpoints in a dramatic tiebreak.<\/p>\n
“That was a crazy match,” said Medvedev. “He served two times for the match, but that is also clay courts. You can come back at any moment. <\/p>\n
“The serve doesn’t count as much, so as soon as someone gets a little bit tight, the match can turn around in one second. That’s what I managed to do.”<\/p>\n
Seventh seed Sinner was made to toil by Hurkacz in a 3-6 7-6(6) 6-1 win.<\/p>\n
Watched on by sprint great Usain Bolt, Sinner saved a matchpoint in a second-set tiebreak and held firm in a decider to complete the win as Hurkacz faded.<\/p>\n
Defending champion Stefanos Tsitsipas eased past Nicolas Jarry in just over 90 minutes, saving two break points to claim a 6-3 6-4 victory and extend his winning streak at the tournament to 12 matches.<\/p>\n
Russian Andrey Rublev beat compatriot Karen Khachanov 7-6(4) 6-2, while American Taylor Fritz dispatched Jiri Lehecka in three sets.<\/p>\n
German qualifier Jan-Lennard Struff stunned fourth seed Casper Ruud 6-1 7-6(6), ending the Estoril champion’s nine-match winning streak on clay stretching back to last July.<\/p>\n
Italian Matteo Berrettini earlier withdrew from his meeting with sixth seed Holger Rune due to an abdominal injury, sending the Danish teenager through to the last eight.<\/p>\n
\n(Reporting by Aadi Nair and Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; additional reporting by Janina Nuno Rios; Editing by Toby Davis and Christian Radnedge)<\/p>\n
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