Alex de Minaur is making history in tennis. The Australian is the first player to reach the quarter-finals of an ATP Masters in “glasses”.
Tennis pro Alex de Minaur has handed Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov the maximum penalty in Monte Carlo, thus causing a first.
The 6-0, 6-0 was the first “set” in the quarterfinals of an ATP Masters. In the format introduced in 1990, there had never been such a result in a later round either.
The Australian de Minaur, in Monte Carlo doubles partner of Jan-Lennard Struff, did not even allow a single game point.
Dimitrov only managed to win 15 points in the twelve games, and just five in the second set.
Not even the retired clay-court giant Rafael Nadal managed to put his opponent’s glasses in the wash during his ATP career, even though he won at least one set 6-0 in countless matches.
ATP-Masters in Monte Carlo: Alcaraz prevents From just under
The third-ranked Carlos Alcaraz had much more trouble.
The Spaniard, who had no problems beating Daniel Altmaier 6-3, 6-1 the day before, defeated France’s Arthur Fils 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, fending off three break points at 5-5 in the second set.
Alcaraz is the most prominent name left in the 1000 tournament. The crisis-ridden Alexander Zverev and Grand Slam record holder Novak Djokovic were eliminated early on.
In the semi-finals, he will now face his compatriot Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, who defeated the Australian Alexei Popyrin 6-3, 6-2.
