De Minaur Makes History with Stunning Double Bagel at Monte Carlo Masters

MONTE CARLO, Monaco — In a stunning display of skill and dominance, Alex de Minaur delivered the first double bagel in ATP Masters 1000 history, defeating Grigor Dimitrov with a 6-0, 6-0 scoreline during the quarterfinals of the Monte Carlo Masters on April 11, 2025. This victory marks a significant milestone for de Minaur, showcasing his proficiency on clay in a tournament that historically has seen Rafael Nadal thrive.

De Minaur, the world No. 10, completed the match in just 44 minutes, leaving Dimitrov without so much as a game point. The Bulgarian player’s performance was marred by an astonishing 23 unforced errors, as he struggled to find his rhythm against de Minaur’s aggressive baseline play. In total, Dimitrov managed to win only 15 points compared to de Minaur’s 48.

“Clay-court tennis is not about hitting hard, powerful shots. It’s about opening up the court, using variety, using angles, using height and different speeds,” de Minaur said in a post-match interview. “I’ve grown to understand the things I can do well on this surface to become a tough opponent.”

Throwing the tennis world into a buzz, de Minaur’s achievement became even more remarkable given that he is the first player to ever win a quarterfinal, semifinal, or final with a double bagel in the tournament’s 33-year history.

Entering the match, de Minaur had already secured victories over Tomas Machac and Daniil Medvedev, but his triumph over the 15th-seeded Dimitrov eclipsed previous performances. He has become the first Australian since 2007 to reach the Monte Carlo semifinals, further emphasizing his evolution on the clay surface.

“At the start of my career on clay, I wasn’t quite understanding how to play well on it. Now, I’m increasingly confident and effective,” he added, reflecting on his growth during the tournament.

The semifinal match will feature de Minaur against Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti, who advanced after defeating defending champion Stefanos Tsitsipas 1-6, 6-3, 6-4. Musetti is enjoying a strong clay season, and he looks to upset de Minaur in their third career meeting, where the stakes are now raised with both players seeking their first Masters 1000 final.

Meanwhile, Carlos Alcaraz also advanced, edging past Arthur Fils 4-6, 7-5, 6-3. Alcaraz, the reigning ATP 1,000 titleholder, will face Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, who topped Alexei Popyrin with a score of 6-3, 6-2.

The Monte Carlo Masters, known for its rich history and picturesque venue, has been a springboard for clay-court dominance, prompting observers to wonder if de Minaur’s victory signals a shift in the landscape of the tournament. As the clay season unfolds, fans can anticipate a highly competitive continuation, with rising stars and established players alike battling for supremacy.