De Minaur records first double bagel against hapless Dimitrov

Australian tennis player Alex de Minaur recorded the most dominant victory of his career at the Monte-Carlo Masters in Monaco on Friday, beating No.15 seed Grigor Dimitrov in the quarter-finals without dropping a game.

Tennis bookmakers had odds to win reasonably tight heading into the match, with de Minaur priced a slight favourite at $1.54 and Dimitrov not much longer at $2.42.

But the 26-year-old was in no mood for a close contest, racing past his Bulgarian opponent in just 44 minutes to make the semi-finals of an ATP Masters 1000 tournament for just the second time.

His progression to the Monte-Carlo semi-finals is also just the third time de Minaur has made the final four of a clay event at all levels.

“With the troubles I had on this surface at the start of my career, I didn’t quite understand it and how to play well on it,” De Minaur said after his 6-0, 6-0 victory over Dimitrov.

“As the years have gone by, I have grown to understand the things I can do well to become a tough opponent on this surface.

“I’m very happy that I am playing better and better every year.

“It’s not about hitting hard, powerful shots on clay.

“It’s about opening up the court, using angles, height, and different speeds.

“Understanding the balance between being too aggressive and too passive.”

With the win, de Minaur further extends his lead for the most match wins in 2025, improving to 20-6 for the season.

He also shortens to the second line of betting across leading bookmakers to win the Monte-Carlo Masters, paying $5 to claim the title behind Carlos Alcaraz ($1.50).

The pair could well meet in the final on Sunday, with de Minaur taking on Lorenzo Musetti in his semi-final while Alcaraz squares off against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.

Top bookie BetOnline has both as favourite to advance, pricing de Minaur at $1.66 to win while Alcaraz is at just $1.20.

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