By Tony Fairbairn
- Stefanos Tsitsipas [3] v Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
- H2H: Tsitsipas leads 2-0
MONTE-CARLO, MONACO – Defending champion Stefanos Tsitsipas and giant killer Alejandro Davidovich Fokina look for early Roland Garros momentum as they battle for the title at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters.
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Stefanos Tsitsipas [3] v Alejandro Davidovich Fokina H2H & Match Fundamentals
Stefanos Tsitsipas hasn’t had it all his own way this week but enters this final as the favourite after impressing in his semi-final. The defending champion is looking to send an early statement to the rest of the field that it will be hard to beat him over this clay court season. As for his opponent Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, the Spaniard has had a dream week knocking out some world-class opposition to reach his first masters 1000 final of his career. Now Davidovich Fokina looks to capitalise on a once in a lifetime opportunity and win the biggest title of his career.
| Stefanos Tsitsipas [3] v Alejandro Davidovich Fokina | H2H: Tsitsipas leads 2-0 |
| ATP Monte-Carlo | Monte-Carlo, Monaco |
| Clay (O) | Prize Money: €456,720/€836,335 |
| Second on Court Rainier III (Not before 13:30 BST) | Amazon Prime Video <– Sign up for trial |
Tsitsipas had to survive a quarter-final epic to get to this stage while Davidovich Fokina has continued to tear through the field after his big victory over the world number one.
Stefanos Tsitsipas [3] route to the final
R2: Fabio Fognini 6-3 6-0
R3: Laslo Djere 7-5 7-6(1)
QF: Diego Schwartzman [12] 6-2 6-7(3) 6-4
SF: Alexander Zverev [2] 6-4 6-2
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina route to the final
R1: Marcos Giron 7-5 6-3
R2: Novak Djokovic [1] 6-3 6-7(5) 6-1
R3: David Goffin [WC] 6-4 6-1
QF: Taylor Fritz [10] 2-6 6-4 6-3
SF: Grigor Dimitrov 6-4 6-7(2) 6-3
Playing Styles and Predictions
Tsitsipas has taken awhile to get going throughout the tournament but his epic quarter-final win over Schwartzman has seen his level of play get better.
Now the Greek looks to successfully defend his title and send a statement to the rest of the field ahead of the rest of the clay court season.
After the win over Zverev Tsitsipas admitted to the ATP website he was happy with his level of play and is looking forward to facing Davidovich Fokina in the final, “It was good,” Tsitsipas said.
“I don’t know whether the long match gave me some rhythm, but I was able to play good tennis today. I’m happy with the level I was able to execute and come up with some good ideas on the court. I know he’s improved from before and I’m going to have that in the back of my head, to produce the best tennis that I can.”
Facing Tsitsipas in the final is Davidovich Fokina who has had a dream run to his maiden masters 1000 final, playing some impressive tennis.
After beating the world number one in the second round the Spaniard has gone from strength to strength as he looks for the biggest title of his career and a place in the world’s top 20.
Speaking to the ATP website Davidovich Fokina admitted it was a ‘dream come true’ to make Sunday’s final, “I am so, so happy to be in the final. It is a dream come true,” Davidovich Fokina proclaimed.
“When I was a kid I was dreaming about this day. It is a dream and I am so happy. The second set I had my chances, but I didn’t play very well. I was so tight and he just put the ball in. The tie-break was also tight. But I went to the bathroom and said that I want this win. Now I am in the final I will enjoy it and try my best.”
Tsitsipas will look to play clean and precise tennis, while trying to be as aggressive as possible with his power and depth. While Davidovich Fokina will look to use his confidence to grind matches out and keep using his determined defensive play to transition into attacking patterns of tennis when possible.
Davidovich Fokina will be nervous with so much on the line in terms of career achievement as well as ranking placement. Tsitsipas’ aggressive brand of tennis mixed with experience should see him successfully defend his title and a first title for 11 months.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in straight sets
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