Alcaraz ends Monaco dry spell with breakthrough win

Carlos Alcaraz stuffed an overhead into the net on a match point chance but recovered poise to earn his first career victory at the Monte Carlo Masters on Wednesday with a 3-6, 6-0, 6-1 defeat of Francisco Cerundolo.

Spain’s former world No. 1 had only one previous appearance at the Country Club overlooking the Med, he lost his opening in 2022 to Sebastian Korda and missed the next two editions through injury.

But the four-time Grand Slam champion prevailed on his third winning chance with a trademark dropshot winner after 97 minutes to reach the third round.

He moved into a match against German qualifier Daniel Altmaier, who defeated France’s veteran Richard Gasquet 7-5, 5-7, 6-2.

Alcaraz avercame 31 unforced errors as he turned his form around after a disaster of an opening set against his Argentine opponent.

“I had to adjust after the first set. I didn’t start well and made a lot of mistakes.

“I let him play inside the court and dominate the points. I was too defensive.”

But Alcaraz added: “I knew I had to do something else, be more aggressive and play my own tennis.  I did that pretty well.

“I made adjustments and put him on the defence.”

World No. 3 Alcaraz is hoping to win his sixth Masters 1000 title and his third on clay in the elite series.

Main photo:- Carlos Alcaraz chalking up his first win in Monte Carlo Masters – ATPTour.com