Stefanos Tsitsipas's Monte Carlo Masters title defence ends in defeat to Taylor Fritz

Daniil Medvedev knocked out by Holger Rune in quarter-finals on Friday

Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece lost to Taylor Fritz of the US in their Monte Carlo Masters quarter-final. EPA

Stefanos Tsitsipas's bid for a third consecutive Monte Carlo Masters title ended after a straight-sets loss to American Taylor Fritz in the quarter-finals on Friday, while Daniil Medvedev was knocked out by Holger Rune.

Second seed Tsitsipas was on a 12-match winning streak in the principality but slumped to a 6-2, 6-4 defeat in only 70 minutes.

Fritz will face Russian Andrey Rublev on Saturday in the last four as he attempts to reach the final of a clay-court event for the first time.

"I thought my level today was very high. I think I played a very good match. Beating him here gives me a lot of confidence," Fritz said.

"It has given me the reassurance I need to know I can play well on clay."

Fritz's win was his first against Tsitsipas after three previous defeats by the Greek, including a five-set thriller at the Australian Open last year.

The world number 10 is into his third Masters semi-final, with the other two both coming at Indian Wells where he won the 2022 title.

Australian Open runner-up Tsitsipas had been the favourite to win the tournament after Novak Djokovic's shock last-16 exit at the hands of Lorenzo Musetti on Thursday.

But he made a poor start against Fritz, falling 4-0 behind in the opening set and was never able to change the momentum.

Eighth seed Fritz secured the crucial break in the ninth game of the second set and served out victory.

"I just seemed off. My serve was not working very well today, and against opponents like Taylor, you have to serve well," said Tsitsipas.

Tsitsipas has struggled for form and with a shoulder injury since his loss to Djokovic in the Australian Open final.

The world No3 is still waiting for a first Grand Slam title but will be among the main contenders for the French Open next month.

"I would have never pictured myself dealing with such an injury," added Tsitsipas.

"It would have been perhaps the last thing that I could think of in terms of injury with tennis. It's probably the worst injury that I've had on the tennis court so far."

Medvedev's run of five successive finals came to a halt as the former world No1 slipped to a 6-3, 6-4 loss to Danish rising star Rune.