Alcaraz Claims First Montecarlo Win, Advances to Third Round

MONTECARLO, Monaco — Carlos Alcaraz made a triumphant return to the Masters 1000 Montecarlo, defeating Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo in three sets, 3-6, 6-0, 6-1, on April 9, 2025. This marked Alcaraz’s first victory in Montecarlo, a tournament he missed in 2023 due to injury and lost his debut match in 2022.

The match was a tale of two halves. Initially, Alcaraz struggled to find his rhythm in the first set, falling behind to Cerundolo, who took advantage of Alcaraz’s 13 unforced errors. However, the Spaniard quickly turned the tide in the second set, showcasing his talent and resilience by winning six straight games to dominate Cerundolo.

“I had a tough start, but I found my rhythm as the match progressed,” said Alcaraz after the match. “I always knew I could turn it around and I’m happy with how I responded.”

Alcaraz needed less than 100 minutes to complete the comeback, impressively recovering from an early setback and exhibiting strong play throughout the final two sets. His next opponent, Germany’s Daniel Altmaier, currently ranked 84 in the ATP, awaits in the third round.

The 21-year-old Alcaraz, ranked third in the world, entered the tournament fresh off a rocky start to his season, which included early exits in both Miami and Indian Wells. He expressed gratitude for being able to compete at Montecarlo, stating, “It feels great to be back on clay, a surface where I have achieved so much.”

Despite not winning a match in his previous appearances at Montecarlo, Alcaraz conveyed optimism as he prepares for the upcoming clay-court season that leads to Roland Garros, where he is the defending champion.

Cerundolo, currently ranked 22, reflected on his loss, stating, “I started strong but couldn’t maintain my performance. Carlos found his game and it was difficult to keep up.” The Argentine has had a mixed record against top players, holding a 14-14 record against top-10 opponents.

With the tournament now in full swing, Alcaraz’s successful start promises an exciting road ahead. As he aims for further victories in Montecarlo and beyond, attention will focus on his evolving performance against increasingly competitive fields this clay season.