World No. 2 Nadal advances to semis & No. 1 Djokovic exits Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters

Lajovic, Medvedev, Fognini & Nadal ready for battle

Friday, April 19 started with an exciting match on center-court at the Monte-Carlo Country Club, with Serbian Dusan Lajovic(ATP48) defeating Italian hope Qualifier Lorenzo Sonego (ATP96) in two straight sets 6-4 7-5, in spite of the 23-year-old qualifier Italian playing well and having the Italian fans cheering loudly on his favor. The Serbian, who had fallen ill the previous week had to take antibiotics but seemed to be in top form, showing his best tennis moves, and succeeding to book a spot in the semifinals Saturday when he will face Russian Medvedev.

Dusan Lajovic from Serbia (1) April 19, 2019 RMCM @CelinaLafuentedeLavotha

Lorenzo Sonego vs Dusan Lajovic at the net, April 19, 2019 RMCM @CelinaLafuentedeLavotha

Lorenzo Sonego, Italy (2) April 19, 2019 RMCM @CelinaLafuentedeLavotha

The 23-year-old Russian Daniil Medvedev claimed his biggest victory ever by defeating World No. 1 Novak Djokovic 6-3 4-6 6-2, reaching his first ATP Masters 1000 semifinal. “It’s definitely the best match of my career. Not in terms of the level of tennis, but definitely by the result. [It’s my] first Masters 1000 semi-final, beating No. 1 for the first time in my life,” Medvedev said.“[It’s] just amazing.”

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic, Serbia, April 19, 2019 RMCM @CelinaLafuentedeLavotha

Daniil Medvedev, Russia, April 19, 2019 RMCM @CelinaLafuentedeLavotha

Daniil Medvedev (Russia) celebrating his victory over Djokovic, April 19, 2019 RMCM @CelinaLafuentedeLavotha

The 31-year-old Italian Fabio Fognini (ATP18) had to fight hard to beat higher ranked Croatian Borna Coric (ATP 13) this Friday night. Unexpectedly, Fogna came back from losing the first set to then winning the next two 1-6 6-3 6-2, and secure a spot into the semifinals to meet no other than defending champion and 11th-time winner, Rafael Nadal.

The 28-year-old Argentine Guido Pella (ATP35) tested World No. 2 Rafael Nadal to the limit both physically and mentally, playing his best tennis ever, but failed to close the first set and ended up losing to the Spaniard in straight sets 6-7(1) 3-6. Pella’s playing style seems very similar to Nadal’s and they are both lefties, and I believe Rafa has been his role model. The Spaniard, always the perfect sportsman, was very complimentary of his opponent when he was interviewed after the match and embraced Pella when the match ended. Rafa is now two matches away from conquering his 12^thvictory in Monte-Carlo.