The king of clay is back
The first Singles semifinals, featured Spaniard Rafael Nadal (5) against Scot Andy Murray (2). It was an exciting and fantastic match where both men played their best tennis, and Murray was dazzling and intense taking the first set 6-2 and looking like he was heading to victory. But Nadal was strong and returned with a vengeance to take the second and third sets 6-4, 6-2 advancing to his 10th Monte-Carlo final where he won eight successive titles from 2005-2012, and his 100th final on the tour/He will be facing French Gael Monfils (13). This first semis felt like a final for its intensity and quality of play. The Spaniard said: “It’s a very important week for me, being in a final here again in Monte-Carlo, winning against very tough opponents. That’s a lot of great confidence, good news for me. Let’s see if tomorrow I can playing at the same level. I am trying my best every single day. I want to be today better than yesterday and tomorrow better than today, and after tomorrow better than tomorrow. That’s it. That’s my work today, and that’s my motivation.”
An all-French semis
An all-French semis followed between Monfils and Tsonga. Gael Monfils was really concentrated today and played a marvellous match beating his Davis Cup compatriot Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in two sets 6-1, 6-3. “It is not easy to play against a friend,” commented Gael Monfils. “It is a great concentration effort. I managed to forget the fact that it was Jo on the other side of the net, and tried to enter into the match right away, and pressure him. I have the impression I was very solid. I am happy for having qualified for the final, I will savor this and hope that Sunday we will deliver a good match.”
Prince Albert was in his Royal Box for the first time since the tournament started, to watch both Singles Semifinals and encourage the players. The sovereign is an avid sportsman who plays tennis often. He will be back on Sunday as he surely does not want to miss the final showdown and give the main trophy the winner.
Doubles debut on center court
This morning the doubles semifinals had their first show on Court Rainier III of the Monte-Carlo Country Club, with Scot Jamie Murray and partner Brazilian Bruno Soares defeated the pair of Croatian Ivan Dodig and Brasilian Marcelo Melo in straight sets 6-2, 6-4. The duo advanced to the finals on Sunday where they will face the French pair of Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut, who won over the Colombians Juan Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah 7-6, 6-4.
The other doubles semifinals took place at the end of the two Singles, with the victory of the French pair Pierre-Hugues Herbert / Nicolas Mahut in straight sets 7-6, 6-4, over the Colombian duo of Juan-Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah. The French advanced to the final showdown against Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares.
Program for Sunday, April 17 in Court Rainier III
Today’s Quote
“If you lack passion you do not find victory.” Rafael Nadal
Monaco Reporter 