Fritz upends defending champion Tsitsipas in Monte-Carlo; first American in semis since 2003

American Taylor Fritz, the No 8 seed, upset Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas, the two-time defending champion and second seed, 6-2, 6-4 to advance to the semi-finals of the Monte-Carlo Masters at Monte-Carlo Country Club on Friday afternoon.

Fritz, ranked No 10, will play Russian Andrey Rublev, the No 5 seed, next. it’s his first top-10 win on clay and he’s the first American man to reach the semis in Monte-Carlo since Vince Spadea in 2003.

Earlier in the tournament, the American won against Swiss wildcard Stan Wawrinka (7-6 (10), 6-2) and Czech Jiri Lehecka (4-6, 6-4, 6-1).

Tsitsipas, ranked No 3, benefited from the abandonment of Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi (4-1) and defeated Chilean Nicolas Jarry (6-3, 6-4) in the previous rounds.

Monte-Carlo Masters, other last eight results (Monte-Carlo Country Club, clay, EUR 5.779.335, most recent results first):

• Lorenzo Musetti vs. Jannik Sinner
• Daniil Medvedev vs. Holger Rune
• Andrey Rublev beat Jan-Lennard Struff (Q): 6-1, 7-6 (5)