Monte Carlo Masters

Djokovic against Ruud from 3.30 pm LIVE

Casper Ruud is in the final of the Monte Carlo Masters.(Bild: APA/AFP/Valery HACHE)

The numbers one and two in the men's tennis world rankings lost in the semi-finals of the Masters 1000 tournament in Monte Carlo on Saturday. Novak Djokovic, who is ranked higher, lost 4:6,6.1,4:6 to eighth-ranked Norwegian Casper Ruud, while South Tyrolean Australian Open winner Jannik Sinner suffered his second defeat of the season against Stefanos Tsitsipas, losing 4:6,6:3,4:6.

After Djokovic was beaten 4:6 in the first set, the world number one hit back in the second, showing a different face and defeating Ruud 6:1.

In the deciding set, however, it was once again the Norwegian who had his nose in front, quickly taking the lead with a break. Djokovic, who did not let this get him down, managed to break back to 4:4, but ultimately missed his service game to make it 4:6. Instead of the expected duel between Jannik Sinner and Djokovic, Ruud and Tsitsipas will now fight for the title on Sunday.

"I've been praying for it"
Ruud took his revenge on Djokovic for last year's defeat against the Serb in the French Open final; the Scandinavian had also lost the other four previous duels with the record Grand Slam winner. "This is a day that I will remember for a long time," said Ruud. "I had never beaten a number one before. These guys are so good under pressure, but I was praying (for the win, ed.)."

MONTE CARLO (ATP Masters 1000, 6.64 million euros, clay)

Semi-final: 
Casper Ruud (NOR-8) - Novak Djokovic (SRB-1) 6:4,1:6,6:4
Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE-12) - Jannik Sinner (ITA-2) 6:4,3:6,6:4

Final (Sunday, 3 pm): Tsitsipas - Ruud