Proud Red & White Flags, Agony and Ecstasy at the Finals of the Monte-Carlo Masters

What an amazing Monegasque tournament leading to one of the most hotly contested and exciting finals in memory. It’s over with Andrey Rublev world number 6 taking the laurels this April 16th. The Dane Holger Rune, his opponent, all but had it won with a break in the third set and racing for the trophy. Tall and powerful he will remember with agony how it all reversed and then collapsed with two easy overhead smashes into the net and a double fault that cost him the last of his momentum and reversed destiny. Almost inconceivable those missed smashes and gasps of misbelief from the crowd on the first and load groans joined the gasps on the second. That’s sport, a brilliant display, racing home, reversals and then lightning strikes. Out of those challenging semis had emerged victorious Rune defeating the Italian favourite Jannik Sinner, while Andrey Rublev had won his semi-final against American Taylor Fritz. All are current world top-ten ranked players. A memorable men’s singles final on a glorious day. And in the doubles tournament, Monaco was proudly featured by Romain Arneodo who has been wearing the Red and White of the Principality for ten years, a formidable Davis Cup player. Romain also had moments of ecstasy and a memorable week… displaying brilliance in front of Prince Albert. Partnered with Sam Weissborn, he unfortunately lost in the finals against Austin Krajicek / Ivan Dodig (0:6, 6:4, 12:14). Red and White flags flew on the grounds proudly in synchronized displays after the last rays of sun set on a glorious tournament.