Dusan Lajovic becomes lowest-ranked Monte Carlo finalist in 18 years

Dusan Lajovic continued his dream run in Monte Carlo, defeating Daniil Medvedev, 7-5, 6-1, to become the unlikely Serbian finalist.

It was the first Masters 1000 semifinal for both players. Lajovic has defeated three seeded players—No. 16 seed David Goffin in the second round, No. 4 seed Dominic Thiem in the round of 16, and No. 10 seed Medvedev in the semifinals. In his match against the Russian on Saturday, Lajovic was down 5-1 in the first set before reeling off 10 consecutive games.

Before Monte Carlo, the Serb had lost five opening-round matches since reaching Doha quarterfinals in January.

Meanwhile, Medvedev, who shocked top-seeded Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinal on Friday, leaves the tournament as the player with the most wins on the ATP this season. The 23-year-old has been on a tear this season, pilling together a 21-7 record. He won the Sofia Open, reached the Brisbane final in January, and made the Rotterdam semifinal.

Next up for Lajovic is either 11-time champion Rafael Nadal or Fabio Fognini.