Novak Djokovic continues trophyless run in 2024, suffers shock loss to Casper Ruud in Monte-Carlo SF

Novak Djokovic's trophyless run in 2024 extended another week, as the Serb suffered a shock loss to Casper Ruud in the semifinals of the Monte-Carlo Masters on Saturday.

Coming into the clash, Ruud was winless against the World No. 1 in five attempts and had lost all five matches in straight sets. In Monte-Carlo, though, Ruud won the opening set against Djokovic, 6-4.

Novak Djokovic responded with a show of strength, winning the second 6-1 with multiple breaks of serve. With all to play for in the decider, Ruud started off as the aggressor, surging to a 4-1 lead.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion clawed his back to make it 4-4, but the Norwegian forced a decisive break of serve to take the set 6-4 after Djokovic double faulted on match point.

The loss was the 36-year-old's third of the year, having lost to Jannik Sinner in the semifinals of the Australian Open, Luca Nardi in the Round of 32 at Indian Wells and now Ruud in Monte-Carlo. Regardless of the result, Djokovic will keep his hold on the World No. 1 for a while, as World No. 2 Jannik Sinner also lost in the semifinals on Saturday.

The Italian's conqueror, Stefanos Tsitsipas, will take on Ruud in Sunday's final. While the Greek will hope to win his third Monte-Carlo title, Ruud will be aiming for his first Masters 1000 trophy.

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Novak Djokovic still hunting for elusive triple career Golden Masters after Monte-Carlo defeat

Novak Djokovic

Had Novak Djokovic beaten Casper Ruud on Saturday, he would have moved within one win of the elusive triple career Golden Masters -- winning all Masters 1000 titles at least thrice.

No other player has won all the Masters tournaments even at least once. Only a third Monte-Carlo trophy is missing in the Serb's trophy cabinet, as the World No. 1 won his third Cincinnati Open title last year.

Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer have won seven of the nine tournaments at least once. While the Spaniard hasn't won the Miami Open and the Paris Masters, Federer never won Monte-Carlo and the Italian Open.

Nevertheless, Djokovic remains the man with the most ATP Masters 1000 titles, with 40. Nadal and Federer follow with 36 and 28 respectively.