Stefanos Tsitsipas beat Jannik Sinner 6-4 3-6 6-4 in their semi-final on Saturday to reach his third Monte-Carlo Masters final in the last four years.
Tsitsipas took the first set 6-4 and the Greek was relying on a powerful serve much more than his opponent.
Sinner came into the encounter as the only Grand Slam winner of the year so far, with both players preparing for the next Slam, at Roland-Garros in Paris next month.
Tsitsipas has said he is keen to break back into the top 10 after an indifferent 2023, while for Sinner the task is to demonstrate that he is now one of the sport’s most consistent players.
The 22-year-old Italian hit back in the second set when he claimed it 6-3 to level at one set apiece to set up a decisive third.
Sinner then broke his rival and held his serve to move 4-2 clear in the third set, needing to hold his serve – and his nerve – to clinch a place in the final to play the winner of the day’s other semi-final, between world No. 1 Novak Djokovic and Casper Ruud.
Tsitsipas took Sinner to break point as he tried to get back to parity with the margin for error dwindling, but Sinner battled back to deuce three times before ultimately failing to hold on.
Buoyed by his resilience, Tsitsipas did not look back and forced through two games in quick succession to wrap up victory.
“It was tennis at its highest level that I have been able to play. Jannik was an extremely difficult opponent and it can be seen throughout the year so far. He has been very consistent and I could see that throughout today with his game,” Tsitsipas said after his win.
“He is one of the toughest opponents I have faced so far and to find ways when there weren’t that many, I am proud of that. He gave me a very difficult game and [the] way I overcame it is true excellence.”
The victory gives him the chance to earn his third title at the tournament after winning back in 2021 and 2022, and he now sits at No. 9 in the live rankings.