Novak Djokovic has the most semifinals in ATP Masters (77), one more than the legendary Spaniard.
You had to go back to the 2015 edition, when Novak Djokovic overcame Rafa Nadal in the penultimate round, but now he’s back in the semifinals at Monte Carlo again.
In the process he has shattered another of Nadal’s records, making his 77th ATP Masters semi-final.
The youngest fans might not remember the last time Novak Djokovic qualified for the semifinals of the TMS in Monte Carlo. He subsequently won his second title in the Monegasque principality after beating Tomas Berdych and this Friday (April 12) he made it to the final four nine years later when he defeated Alex de Minaur, 7-5, 6-4.
The victory allows Novak Djokovic to steal another record from Rafael Nadal, with whom he was tied in the semifinals of Masters 1000 category tournaments. The Balkan has now reached the final four 77 times to 76 for the Spaniard, who has not played a TMS since Paris-Bercy in 2022.
The 24-time major champion now awaits the winner of the match between Casper Ruud and Frenchman Ugo Humbert to discover who he will play.
Novak Djokovic closes in on history
This would be the third time that Djokovic has completed a third sweep of all ATP Masters 1000 titles should he win two more tennis matches as he overcame de Minaur in a tight affair in which the Serbian was off form.
Djokovic will extend his already-record 40 ATP Masters 1000 wins to 41 if he emerges victorious in the final and that will come just days after he became the oldest number one in PIF ATP Rankings history.
“It was tough for both of us,” Djokovic said after the win. “He is one of the quickest players on Tour. He gets a lot of balls back that normally 99 per cent of other players don’t.
“He did not surprise me with several passing shots. Particularly in the second set when I was up a break but he said at the net it was ugly. The second set I think it was.
“We didn’t play at the high level and made a lot of unforced errors, him and I, and a lot of breaks of serve. It is kind of expected on clay but maybe not this many. But a win is a win and I am happy to be through.”
