Alex de Minaur does something at the Monte Carlo Masters that not even Rafael Nadal ever did in his clay career
Alex de Minaur has stunned the tennis world with a jaw-dropping performance at the Monte Carlo Masters, advancing to the semi-finals with a historic 6-0, 6-0 victory over Grigor Dimitrov. In doing so, the Australian has achieved something even Rafael Nadal never did during his illustrious career on clay.
Despite having no ATP Tour titles on clay until now, de Minaur has shown impressive improvement on the surface. His next challenge comes in the form of Lorenzo Musetti, who is in great form after eliminating three-time champion Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarter-finals.
De Minaur Outshines the King of Clay
De Minaur’s performance against Dimitrov was nothing short of ruthless. With a blistering 6-0, 6-0 scoreline, he became the first player since the introduction of the ATP Masters 1000 format in 1990 to win a match from the quarter-finals onwards with such a dominant result.
For perspective, this achievement is one that Rafael Nadal, widely regarded as the greatest clay court player in history, never managed in his storied career. De Minaur’s double bagel was not only a stunning personal milestone but also a statement to the tennis world about his growing prowess on clay.
Historic Firsts for De Minaur
According to tennis statistics service OptaAce, de Minaur’s 6-0, 6-0 victory over Dimitrov marks another historical first. His performance, which lasted just 45 minutes, is the first ATP Masters 1000 quarter-final victory by such a margin in the tournament’s history.
Reflecting on the result, de Minaur revealed he had never before won a match with a double bagel. He shared, “I knew that. The only time I lost 6-0, 6-0 was to Tommy Paul in the semi-finals of the US Open juniors. It’s pretty crazy.”
De Minaur’s Dominance in Numbers
De Minaur was nearly flawless in his win over Dimitrov. He won 75% of his first serve points and an impressive 80% of his second serve points, while also claiming 76% of total points played. His commanding display left Dimitrov, who had recently dispatched Daniil Medvedev in the previous round, struggling to find any rhythm.
Looking Ahead
De Minaur now sets his sights on Musetti, who will prove a formidable opponent in the semi-finals. With his stunning performance in Monte Carlo, the Australian is not only closing in on his first clay title but also making history at one of the most prestigious ATP Masters 1000 events.
