Defending champion Stefanos Tsitsipas and Germany’s Alexander Zverev continued their journies in Monte Carlo Masters with straight-set wins.
Miami Open finalist Casper Ruud, however, was not so lucky in his quest for another shot at an ATP 1000 event falling to Grigor Dimitrov in straight sets.
The Greek, Tsitsipas, continued his strong start to the tournament with a testing 7-5, 7-6 (1) over Laslo Djere to reach the quarterfinals.
The World No. 5 did not drop a set en route to his first ATP Masters 1000 title at the clay-court event in 2021 and has been in ruthless form once again this week, backing up his opening win against 2019 champion Fabio Fognini with a consistent display against Djere on Court Rainier III.
Tsitsipas served well and remained patient throughout, waiting for his chances before raising his intensity in the crucial moments as he caused the Serbian damage with his heavy forehand to triumph after one hour and 52 minutes.
Tsitsipas will continue his bid to change that when he faces 12th seed Diego Schwartzman in his 13th Masters 1000 quarter-final.
Alexander Zverev, meanwhile, defeated 13th seed Pablo Carreno Busta 6-2, 7-5 to reach the quarter-finals of the Monte Carlo Masters.
The Spaniard has been a tough challenge for Zverev but on the red clay, the five-time Masters 1000 champion had too much firepower in a one-hour, 36-minute victory.
After a comfortable first set, Zverev lost his serve immediately in the second set, but never panicked.
He converted five of his 14 breakpoints to reach the Monte Carlo quarter-finals for the second time in his sixth appearance.
The second seed will face ninth seed Jannik Sinner for a spot in the last four.
Grigor Dimitrov maintained his strong record at this year’s tournament, upsetting fourth seed Casper Ruud 6-3, 7-5 to reach the quarter-finals for the fourth time in his career.
Following his victory over the Norwegian, Dimitrov has already recorded the same number of wins on clay in 2022 as he managed in the whole of last season. The 2017 Nitto ATP Finals champion went 3-8 on the surface in 2021, while he is 3-0 this year.
