Lajovic Breaks New Ground In Monte-Carlo

Less than 24 hours after securing the biggest win of his career against World No. 5 Dominic Thiem, Dusan Lajovic defeated Lorenzo Sonego 6-4, 7-5 to reach his first ATP Masters 1000 semi-final on Friday.

The Serbian was forced to save one set point at 4-5 (30/40) in the second set en route to his 10th tour-level victory of the season after one hour and 47 minutes. Lajovic was competing in his second Masters 1000 quarter-final, following his run to the Mutua Madrid Open quarter-finals last year (l. to Anderson).

Yet to drop a set this week, Lajovic will meet countryman Novak Djokovic or 10th seed Daniil Medvedev for a place in the championship match. Lajovic managed to win one game in his most recent FedEx ATP Head2Head meeting (0-2) against Djokovic in the first round at this event last year. The World No. 48 lost his only previous FedEx ATP Head2Head encounter against Medvedev at the VTB Kremlin Cup last year.

Prior to his arrival at the Grand Prix Hassan II last week, Sonego had reached one tour-level quarter-final. But the Italian qualifier has produced the best tennis of his career to reach back-to-back quarter-finals in Marrakech and Monte-Carlo. Three days ago, Sonego claimed the biggest win of his career against Rolex Paris Masters champion Karen Khachanov.

Did You Know?

If Djokovic defeats Medvedev, Lajovic and the World No. 1 will become the first Serbian pairing to advance to the last four of a Masters 1000 event since the 2012 Rogers Cup. On that occasion, Djokovic defeated countryman Janko Tipsarevic in the semi-finals before cruising past Richard Gasquet to lift the trophy.