"I am pushing myself harder every match" - Davidovich Fokina after reaching Monte-Carlo semifinal

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina broke new ground Friday at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, overcoming 10th seed Taylor Fritz 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 to reach his first ATP Masters 1000 semi-final.

The Spaniard upset World No. 1, Novak Djokovic, in the second round and he demonstrated high levels of confidence against Fritz on Court Rainier III to further back up that win, after also eliminating Marrakech champion David Goffin in the third round. The 22-year-old played with great intensity as he struck his groundstrokes with width to pull Fritz around the court:

“I am so, so happy. Last year I reached the quarter-finals. The emotions to be in the semi-finals are so high. I am enjoying every point. In the first set, I had a lot of chances to break but I didn’t do it. But I just stayed focused and believed in myself.”

The World No. 46 now leads Fritz 2-0 in their ATP Head2Head series and will next face 2018 semi-finalist, Grigor Dimitrov.

Fokina said he will be very confident whoever he plays:

“When you beat the World No. 1 it gives you a lot of confidence physically, mentally and technically. I am pushing myself every match to play harder and harder.”