Stefanos Tsitsipas Faces Nuno Borges in Monte Carlo Masters Showdown

MONTE CARLO, Monaco — Defending champion Stefanos Tsitsipas will continue his title defense at the 2025 Monte Carlo Masters when he faces Portugal’s Nuno Borges in the third round on April 10. This match represents their second meeting on the ATP Tour, with Tsitsipas leading their head-to-head record 1-0.

Tsitsipas, currently ranked World No. 8, has a 12-6 win-loss record in 2025, including a title win at the Dubai Open in February. After returning from a challenging Sunshine season, he came back strong in his second-round match against Australia’s Jordan Thompson, winning 4-6, 6-4, 6-2. Tsitsipas has proven to be formidable on clay, securing his place as one of the favorites in the tournament, especially following the early exits of top players Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev.

Nuno Borges, ranked World No. 43, aims to make headlines after defeating Holger Rune in the first round, which came after Rune retired due to injury. Borges then claimed victory in a tight second-round battle against Spain’s Pedro Martinez, winning 7-5, 6-7(4), 6-4. The Portuguese player holds a 16-11 record this season, with his best performance so far being a semifinal appearance at the ASB Classic.

While Tsitsipas is recognized for his experience and skill on clay, Borges has shown promise and resilience, making him a challenging opponent. “He’s playing unbelievable,” Tsitsipas remarked about Borges during the pre-match press conference. “I’m looking forward to a tough match.”

With a title retention on the line, the stakes are high for Tsitsipas, who will need to bring his best game to fend off Borges, who is looking for his first quarterfinal appearance at a Masters 1000 event. If Borges can manage to pull off an upset, the draw would open up significantly, increasing his chances of advancing further.

As the match approaches, pundits have predicted that Tsitsipas may win in straight sets, citing his strong track record and superior experience in high-stakes matches. “Stefanos has the edge here, but Nuno has shown he can compete when it matters,” said tennis analyst Laura Johnson. “It will be interesting to see how Borges handles the pressure.”

The match is set to occur at the Monte Carlo Country Club, where large crowds are expected to witness this highly anticipated clash between two formidable players chasing a prestigious title.