Fifth seed Dominic Thiem came from behind to knock out Novak Djokovic in the Monte Carlo Masters third round on Thursday and set up a quarter-final clash with defending champion Rafa Nadal.
Austria's Dominic Thiem celebrates after winning the third-round clash against Novak Djokovic. (Reuters).
Thiem, twice French Open semi-finalist, bounced back after losing the opening set in a tiebreak to win 6-7(2) 6-2 6-3.
Djokovic has not reached the last eight of a tournament since last year’s Wimbledon and has struggled with a long-term elbow injury.
Thiem made the decisive breakthrough in the seventh game of the final set with a powerful backhand down the line and wrapped up the match with another break on his second match point.
Nadal, who needs to win the tournament to stay ahead of Roger Federer at the top of the world rankings, kept on course for his 11th Monte Carlo title with a comfortable 6-3 6-2 victory over Russia’s Karen Khachanov.
The Spaniard converted four break-point opportunities to reach the quarter-finals for the 14th year in a row.
Nadal lost twice to Thiem on clay last year but produced an emphatic display to beat the Austrian in straight sets en route to his 10th French Open title.
"It’s way better feeling if you go against him (Nadal) and know that you’ve beaten him already on this surface,” the 24-year-old Thiem said. "But it’s the ultimate challenge for everybody to play against him.”
Third seed Alexander Zverev overcame a mid-match blip to beat fellow German Jan-Lennard Struff 6-4 4-6 6-4, but was denied a quarter-final meeting with his older brother Mischa, who lost 6-2 7-5 to Frenchman Richard Gasquet.
World number three Marin Cilic progressed without hitting a ball after his opponent Milos Raonic withdrew due to a knee injury.
The Australian Open runner-up next plays Japan’s Kei Nishikori, who beat Italian Andreas Seppi 6-0 2-6 6-3.
Source: NDO
On March 23rd, in Mai Chau district, 5 competition distances of Vietnam Ultra Marathon in 2024 (Vietnam Ultra Marathon 2024 - VUM 2024) organized by the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mai Chau District’s People's Committee, Co., Ltd. Phu Thinh (Topas Travel) took place. This is the latest running race in the Topas Vietnam Trail Series and was held in Mai Chau district for the first time.
From March 21st – 23rd, the Department of Education and Training organized the Badminton - Table Tennis Tournament for students in Hoa Binh province in 2024.
The continuous sound of drums and the constant cheers of the viewers at each competition, the match have shown the appeal of the folk games. Having the opportunity to come to the festivals in Hoa Binh, visitors will be fascinated by the form of entertainment containing good traditional cultural values.
In two days, March 3rd – 4th, the Women's Union of Hoa Binh city coordinated with the Center for Culture, Sports and Information of the city to organize the 1st Women's Steam Volleyball Tournament in Hoa Binh in 2024.
Since early 2024, high-achievement sports athletes have received intensive training in preparation for provincial and national tournaments this year.
Whenever Tet holiday and Spring comes, people of all ethnic groups in Hoa Binh province join in the vibrant atmosphere of exchange activities and sports competitions. In which, traditional sports have become indispensable "spiritual food” for many people. Thereby contributing to creating a joyful and bustling atmosphere in the first days of the new year, strengthening solidarity and community attachment, enhancing cultural and spiritual life, and improving people's health...