Alcaraz Reacts in Time to Debut in Monte Carlo

Carlos Alcaraz has finally tasted victory in the Principality after several years of waiting. The Murcian, in his clay-court debut this year, came back against Francisco Cerúndolo (3-6, 6-0, 6-1) to achieve his first win at the Monte Carlo Masters 1000 in his career.

After losing in his 2022 debut against Sebastian Korda and missing out in 2023 due to back and wrist issues, Alcaraz has finally ended his historical deficit in this tournament and now knows what it feels like to win at least one match in all the Masters 1000 events.

And this despite the fact that the afternoon at the Monte Carlo Country Club seemed dramatic when, in a dismal half-hour, Alcaraz surrendered the first set. Returning to the courts after the disappointing experience in Miami, where he exited in his debut against David Goffin, the first set against Cerúndolo deepened all those doubts, with a dozen unforced errors, a 2-1 lead that evaporated with a 1-5 run in Cerúndolo's favour, and body language suggesting something was amiss.

Alcaraz appeared disheartened and lacking energy, an unusual sight for him, which could have been more concerning had Cerúndolo capitalised on one of the two break points he had in the first game of the second set.

The Argentine, who was performing well by continuously attacking Alcaraz's backhand, which struggled to find solutions down the line, missed the chance to secure that break, and Alcaraz awoke.

With little explanation beyond simply "stopped making mistakes," Alcaraz took all six games of the set. This marks the fourth 'bagel' on clay for Cerúndolo, and the third Alcaraz has achieved this season after delivering one to Yoshihito Nishioka in Australia and Jack Draper in Indian Wells.