Tennis is also a state of mind. In Monte Carlo, Diego Schwartzman has shown it, coming back against Lorenzo Musetti (2-6, 6-4 and 6-3). Also Jannik Sinner, doing the same against an Andrey Rublev of, paradoxically, much hotter blood (5-7, 6-1 and 6-3). Even the current champion of the Masters 1,000, Stefanos Tsitsipas, without the brilliance that the title requires, but with sufficiency against Laslo Djere (7-5 and 7-6 (1)). Three games, six ways of understanding this sport and some quarterfinals already definedwith only one Spanish representative: Alejandro Davidovich, after beating David Goffin, will be in charge of defending the pride of the Navy against Taylor Fritz.
The afternoon started hectic on the land of the Court des Princes, with ‘El Peque’ lost and Musetti grown, with the support of the entire public. The warmth of the people propelled him towards the first set, but it did not allow him to win a second set of promising starts. The Italian 0-2, far from being the end of Schwartzman, determined a new turning point. Monaco longed for comebacks, feats, stories and the Argentine was going to give them to him, based on claw and good game. The first, as much as the clichés say, is rarely enough. From 0-2 to 6-4 and a third partial marked by the Argentine solvency at the service, clueless until that moment. 77% of points with first, 71% with seconds and a much more special figure: 50th victory in Masters 1,000 tournaments.
The champion goes his way
Schwartzman said goodbye to applause, after convincing the stands, and Sinner, also a favorite of the fans, managed to keep them until the end. Doing so was not easy. In front, Andrey Rublev, 8th in the world, who tipped the balance in a very close first set, one of those that hurts to lose. Another comeback, more joy for Monaco. Again, a very clear turning point: 2-1 in the second set. The Italian was treated by the medical services for problems with calluses and Rublev, meanwhile, was desperate. For his game and for the interruptions. There was no going back. Partial 6-0 and third set played with a head, with temperance, with a lot of intelligence on the part of Sinner. The 12th in the world will face the 3rd, a spotless Alexander Zverev against Pablo Carreño. In the quarterfinals, there will also be the current champion, a Tsitsipas (5th) more demanded than expected against Djere (62nd), but who continues on his way to defending the title. The moment of truth comes now.