The 2015 Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters continued on Friday as the four quarterfinal matches were played. None of the results were particularly close although David Ferrer extended a tournament favorite to three sets before losing. All of the results from Friday in men’s singles are listed below.
Singles – Quarter-Finals
[1] Novak Djokovic (SRB) d [8] Marin Cilic (CRO) 60 63
[3] Rafael Nadal (ESP) d [5] David Ferrer (ESP) 64 57 62
[6] Tomas Berdych (CZE) d [4] Milos Raonic (CAN) 52 ret. (retirement)
[14] [WC] Gael Monfils (FRA) d [9] Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) 61 63
Djokovic’s demolition of Cilic suggests that the Croat is not anywhere close to his best tennis yet. The reigning US Open champion has just recently returned from injury but, if he was playing close to his potential, you would expect a more competitive outcome than the thrashing he suffered on Friday. With the loss, Cilic, now 0-12 against Djokovic, remains winless against the current World No. 1.
In the other quarterfinal on Djokovic’s half of the draw Ferrer, now 6-23 against Rafa, failed to back up his victory over Nadal from a year ago. That result sets up a blockbuster semifinal in Monte-Carlo, one that will feature Djokovic and Nadal, the two favorites to win the 2015 French Open. They will meet not before 3:30pm on Saturday on the main court at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters. The winner of the match will surely garner a lot more support in the Roland Garros betting market.
On the other half of the draw Tomas Berdych picked up a bit of luck as he did not have to exert himself much in order to advance through the quarters. Milos Raonic, forced to retire against Berdych, picked up a right foot injury in the first set on Friday with implications that are not clear for the upcoming events on tour.
Berdych, who was just 1-3 against Raonic, will have a favorable match-up in the semifinals. The Czech No. 1 will next face Frenchman Gael Monfils, the lowest ranked player remaining in the Monaco draw. Monfils, who is just 1-5 against Berdych, dispatched of Grigor Dimitrov in the quarters quite comfortably.
As the draw looks, Berdych appears favored to make another appearance in a Masters Series final. However with Nadal and Djokovic on the opposite side of the draw, it is hard to picture the Czech Republic’s top player claiming the Monte-Carlo Masters title. Instead, the Djokovic vs. Nadal match-up appears to be the final before the final with the winner promising to be a heavy favorite in Sunday’s championship match.
Saturday’s Order of Play
Not Before 1:00 pm
[6] Tomas Berdych (CZE) vs [14] [WC] Gael Monfils (FRA)
9:30 am ET 4/18/2015
[1] Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs [3] Rafael Nadal (ESP)