Tennis
10:39, 09-Feb-2019
Tennis: Monfils stuns Tsitsipas in Sofia
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Australian Open semi-finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas was stunned in the quarter-finals of the Sofia Open in Bulgaria on Friday, losing 6-3, 7-6 (7/5) to veteran Frenchman Gael Monfils.
Greece's world number 12 Tsitsipas defeated Roger Federer in the last-16 in Melbourne before falling to Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals of the season's opening Grand Slam event.
However, the 20-year-old came unstuck on Friday against the world No. 33, who won 93 percent of points on his first serve.
Stefanos Tsitsipas during his fourth-round match against Roger Federer at the Australian Open in Melbourne, January 20, 2019. /VCG Photo
Stefanos Tsitsipas during his fourth-round match against Roger Federer at the Australian Open in Melbourne, January 20, 2019. /VCG Photo
"I was very aggressive today," said Monfils. "I tried to dictate (the tempo) and I did my job at the end. Today I served very well, this is my best serving day so far."
The 32-year-old Monfils next faces Russian third seed Daniil Medvedev who beat Martin Klizan of Slovakia 6-4, 6-1.
Saturday's other semi-final sees Italy's Matteo Berrettini facing Marton Fucsovics of Hungary.
(With inputs from AFP and Reuters)
(Cover: France's Gael Monfils in action during Australian Open 2019 Men's Singles match in Melbourne, Australia, January 16, 2019. /VCG Photo)