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 Carlos 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 overcame 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 defense.”

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