Spain’s rising tennis star Carlos Alcaraz secured his first-ever Monte-Carlo Masters final berth on Saturday, defeating compatriot Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 7-6(2), 6-4 in a hard-fought semifinal. The 21-year-old, who last claimed a Masters title at Indian Wells in 2023, now eyes his first clay-court triumph of the season against Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti on Sunday.
Musetti, the tournament’s 13th seed, staged a remarkable comeback to overcome Australia’s Alex de Minaur 1-6, 6-4, 7-6(4) in the other semifinal. The Italian will seek his second ATP title this year after winning the Hamburg European Open in 2023.
"I knew how well Davidovich Fokina had played here, so I had to fight every point," said Alcaraz, referencing his opponent’s previous strong performances in Monte Carlo. The four-time Grand Slam champion has faced unexpected opportunities this week, as top seed Alexander Zverev and third seed Novak Djokovic exited early, while world No. 1 Jannik Sinner remains absent due to a doping ban.
Alcaraz acknowledged the pressure of stepping up in Sinner’s absence: "Many have asked if this is my moment to reclaim No. 1 or dominate tournaments." Currently ranked No. 3 globally, a victory Sunday could reignite his climb in the ATP rankings.
Sunday’s final marks a significant milestone for Alcaraz, who lost his only prior Monte-Carlo match in 2022. Fans and analysts alike will watch closely to see if the Spaniard’s aggressive baseline play can overpower Musetti’s crafty drop shots and one-handed backhand on the iconic red clay.
