Serbia's Novak Djokovic (R) congratulates Belgium's David Goffin at the end of their tennis match during the Monte-Carlo ATP Masters Series Tournament, on April 21, 2017 in Monaco (AFP)
David Goffin proved too hot to handle for Novak Djokovic as the Belgian 10th seed reached the Monte Carlo Masters semi-finals with a thrilling 6-2 3-6 7-5 victory on Friday.
Former world number one Djokovic saved four match points but cracked under his opponent's tremendous pressure on the fifth as Goffin set up a last-four meeting with claycourt king Rafa Nadal who beat Argentine Diego Schwartzman 6-4 6-4.
Nadal is looking to clinch a record-extending 10th Monte Carlo title.
Earlier, Spanish claycourt specialist Albert Ramos followed up his victory over world number one Andy Murraywith a 6-2 6-7 (5) 6-2 defeat of Croatian fifth seed Marin Cilic.
France's Lucas Pouille made a fast start before being made to work harder by Uruguay's Pablo Cuevas, eventually winning 6-0 3-6 7-5.
In the first European claycourt tournament of the season, Serbian second seed Djokovic was overwhelmed in a one-sided opening set before playing more patiently in the second, but Goffin put on a gritty display in the decider.
Djokovic was serving at 4-3 but Goffin won the game to love to roar back into contention, taking every opportunity to unsettle the French Open champion.
In the 12th game, Goffin opened a 40-15 lead on Djokovic's serve but the 12-times grand slam champion saved four match points before netting a forehand to lose to the Belgian for the first time in six meetings.
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