Tennis

Monte-Carlo Masters: Carlos Alcaraz Overcomes Sluggish Start To Win Over Francisco Cerundolo

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By
wendioliveros
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wendioliveros Sports Editor

Wendi Oliveros is a diehard tennis fan that is known to set her clock at ridiculous hours to watch live action especially during the Australian Open. She is known for indulging in strawberries and cream during Wimbledon and has watched the US Open live several times.

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Sports Editor

Published09 Apr 2025

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Carlos Alcaraz

With Alexander Zverev, the Monte-Carlo Masters top seed, out of the tournament via an upset by Matteo Berrettini, the attention shifted to the second seed, Carlos Alcaraz.

Alcaraz is making his first appearance at the Monte-Carlo Masters in three years, missing the 2023 and 2024 tournaments with injuries.

His first match was against a formidable opponent he has never lost to in two previous meetings: Argentinian Francisco Cerundolo, whose forehand is a work of art on any surface.

Alcaraz jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead, breaking Cerundolo’s serve.  Then, Cerundolo played a great set, capitalizing on a sluggish stint for Alcaraz.  Alcaraz lost the set 3-6.

Fans were concerned that another upset was in the works, but Alcaraz quickly righted the ship with a 6-0 second set where he was practically perfect.

He got an early third-set break, which frustrated Cerundolo, and never looked back.  The final score was 3-6, 6-0, 6-1.

Lofty Clay Court Expectations For Carlos Alcaraz

Alcaraz is dealing with great expectations.  It is clay court season, and some have prematurely declared him Rafael Nadal’s heir apparent.  That is an unfair expectation, and Alcaraz knows it.

Like Zverev, Alcaraz has not gained ground on World No. 1 Jannik Sinner, currently out of action serving a three-month suspension.

Alcaraz appears to have a good attitude about his game. He is not hard on himself for being the World No. 3. Alcaraz, 21, is a four-time Grand Slam champion.  He goes into the summer defending back-to-back wins at last year’s French Open and Wimbledon.

In the meantime, Alcaraz is looking to keep his Monte-Carlo Masters groove going.  He has a Thursday Round of 16 match against Daniel Altmaier, the World No. 84, from Germany.  Alcaraz has never played Altmaier, who recorded a Rotterdam upset win over Arthur Fils in February.

Watch the Monte-Carlo Masters on Tennis Channel through April 13, 2025.