Monte Carlo: Carlos Alcaraz overcomes sluggish begin, destroys Cerundolo

Carlos Alcaraz delivered his first Monte Carlo victory. World no. 3 confronted a difficult opponent within the second spherical and dominated units two and three for his first triumph within the Principality. Alcaraz performed in opposition to Francisco Cerundolo and received 3-6, 6-0, 6-1.

The Spaniard made a sluggish begin earlier than leaving his rival miles behind. The Argentine claimed just one sport after the primary set and hit the exit door after an hour and 38 minutes. The 2nd seed claimed 21 factors greater than his rival.

Carlos with a stunning backhand down the road winner in opposition to Cerundolo in Monte Carlo.

On the cash. 💴

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Carlos served at solely 54% and confronted seven break factors. He bought damaged two instances in a row within the opener earlier than rising his stage. The Spaniard stepped in on the return after the opener and clinched 53% of the return factors. He transformed them into six breaks from eight alternatives.

They sprayed 31 unforced errors every. Alcaraz hit eight winners greater than his rival and solid a large benefit from the baseline and on the web. The Spaniard broke within the third sport of the encounter after forcing the rival’s mistake.

Carlos Alcaraz, Monte Carlo 2025© Stream screenshot

World no. 3 missed a backhand within the fourth sport and introduced his rival again to 2-2. Cerundolo stepped in on the return in sport six and offered his second straight break for a 4-2 benefit. The Argentine held within the subsequent one after the Spaniard’s unfastened backhand.

Francisco served for the opener in sport 9 and held at love with a service winner for 6-3 in 35 minutes. Carlos didn’t serve properly firstly of the second set. He saved a pair of break factors in video games one and three and made a push on the return at 1-0.

Cerundolo missed a forehand and skilled a break at 15. Alcaraz saved two break factors within the subsequent one and cemented the benefit. The Argentine performed a unfastened drop shot within the fourth sport, struggling a break at love and falling 4-0 behind.

Francisco served to remain within the set at 0-5 and bought damaged at 15 following Carlos’ effective forehand assault. Thus, the younger gun claimed the set with a bagel and compelled a decider after an hour and 5 minutes. The Spaniard served properly within the decider and stored the strain on the opposite facet.

Cerundolo netted a backhand within the fourth sport, misplaced serve and fell 3-1 behind. The higher-ranked participant offered a effective maintain within the subsequent one with a drop shot winner and stepped in on the return within the subsequent one.

World no. 3 landed a forehand drive-volley winner for one more break and a 5-1 benefit. Carlos served for the win in sport seven and sealed the take care of a artful drop shot, celebrating his first triumph within the Principality.