Davidovich Fokina Defeats Popyrin and Advances to the Monte-Carlo Masters 1000 Semifinals

The first quarterfinal match of the Monte-Carlo Masters 1000 this Friday featured two players not necessarily expected to reach this stage of the competition. Although a finalist in this same tournament three years ago, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina himself admitted the last two years have been tough for him. After losing finals in Delray Beach and Acapulco this season, the Spaniard is gradually regaining confidence.

On the other side, Popyrin, the surprise winner of last August’s Montreal Masters 1000, has struggled to maintain that momentum since. But the Australian has put together a strong run in Monaco, defeating Ugo Humbert, Frances Tiafoe, and clay-court specialist Casper Ruud in three-set battles to reach the quarterfinals.

This match seemed wide open between these two underdogs as the tournament neared its conclusion. However, in the end, there was no real battle on the court.

Unable to create break opportunities, the 27th-ranked Australian was far too inconsistent to trouble his opponent (15 winners against 30 unforced errors, 9 aces but 5 double faults).

After victories against Ben Shelton, Tomas Martin Etcheverry, and Jack Draper, the world No. 42 claimed the scalp of Alexei Popyrin and secured a spot in the Monte-Carlo semifinals for the second time in his career (6-3, 6-2).

He will face either Arthur Fils or Carlos Alcaraz for a place in the final. This win brings him even closer to the top 30—with the possibility of climbing even higher by the tournament’s end.