Djokovic beats Cilic to reach Monte Carlo semis

Marin Cilic (left), Novak Djokovic

Monte Carlo Masters: Novak Djokovic thrashes Marin Cilic

Novak Djokovic progressed to the semi-finals of the Monte Carlo Masters by trouncing US Open champion Marin Cilic 6-0 6-3 in 65 minutes.

The world number one won the first eight games before Cilic, the eighth seed, eventually managed to hold serve.

Top seed Djokovic, 27, bidding to win a third Masters title in a row, said after the match that he was probably playing the best tennis of his career.

The Serb will play either Rafael Nadal or David Ferrer in the last four.

“It was a very good match for me,” said Djokovic, who hit 15 winners and broke Cilic five times in an impressive display. “The week began in the best way for me and I hope to continue like this.”

Recent Monte Carlo Masters champions

2014: Stan Warinka (Swi) beat Roger Federer (Swi) 4-6 7-6 6-2
2013: Novak Djokovic (Ser) beat Rafael Nadal (Sp) 6-2 7-6
2012: Rafael Nadal (Sp) beat Novak Djokovic (Ser) 6-3 6-1
2011: Rafael Nadal (Sp) beat David Ferrer (Sp) 6-4 7-5
2010: Rafael Nadal (Sp) beat Fernando Verdasco (Sp) 6-0 6-1

Elsewhere, Frenchman Gael Monfils reached his first semi-final in Monte Carlo by beating Grigor Dimitrov, who had knocked out defending champion Stanislas Wawrinka on Thursday.

“For sure I’m surprised because this is not a period where I’ve played my best tennis so far,” said the Frenchman after his 6-1 6-3 victory.

Monfils, whose previous best in the principality was reaching the third round, will play Czech Tomas Berdych in the semi-finals.

Berdych’s opponent, Milos Raonic, retired hurt with a foot injury but the sixth seed was in total control prior to the Canadian’s withdrawal, hitting 10 winners and breaking twice to lead 5-2 in the first set.

 

BBC Sport

 

 

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