Monte Carlo: Carlos Alcaraz chases sixth Masters title against first-time finalist Lorenzo Musetti | Tennis News
Carlos Alcaraz secured his first Monte Carlo Masters final appearance by defeating fellow Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 7-6 (7/2), 6-4 on Saturday. He will face 13th-seeded Italian Lorenzo Musetti, who overcame Australian eighth seed Alex de Minaur 1-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) in the second semi-final.
Four-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz is seeking his first Masters title since his victory at Indian Wells last year. His only title this season came at the ATP 500 event in Rotterdam in February.
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“I knew how well Davidovich Fokina had played in Monte Carlo so I had to be ready to fight,” said Alcaraz.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve had the chance to win a title on clay and I can’t wait to try my luck again here,” Alcaraz said, referencing his Olympic final loss to Novak Djokovic in August.
“At the beginning of the week, the first tournament on clay, you have to get used to the conditions,” he added. “The ball comes different. You know, the play on clay is different… I’m just really happy to get the level that I wanted at the beginning of the week.”
Alcaraz emerged as the tournament favourite following early exits by top seed Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic, while world number one Jannik Sinner remains suspended due to a doping ban.
“The first question, you know, since Jannik was unable to play tournaments, a lot of people were asking me and talking about, how important (the) moment that I have ahead is to reach the number one (ranking) again or to win tournaments or whatever,” Alcaraz said. “I was thinking so much about it instead of playing my good tennis and enjoy the time that I have, stepping on the court and playing matches.”
The 21-year-old Spaniard started strongly against world number 42 Davidovich Fokina, securing an early break. However, Davidovich Fokina fought back to level at 5-5 before losing the first-set tiebreak 7/2.
Alcaraz broke early again in the second set and maintained his advantage despite Davidovich Fokina saving 13 break points and four match points.
In the other semi-final, Musetti overcame a difficult start where he lost all four service games in the first set. The Italian regained his composure in the second set, breaking De Minaur in the ninth game.
The decisive third set saw multiple service breaks before heading to a tiebreak, where Musetti prevailed on his first match point when De Minaur hit a forehand into the net.
“It means so much. Honestly, it’s unexpected,” said Musetti, who will enter the world’s top 10 if he wins the final. “If I look back where we started, at the beginning of the week, I was of course dreaming to be in final and to have the chance to play for the top 10, for the title, for a lot of things.”
The final will be a rematch between Alcaraz and Musetti, with the Spaniard winning their last three encounters. However, Musetti won their only previous final meeting in Hamburg in 2022.
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“For sure the key of that match was the mental part,” added Musetti. “So hopefully tomorrow I’ll do the same.”
The match represents a significant milestone for both players, with Alcaraz seeking his first clay court Masters title since Indian Wells and Musetti appearing in the biggest final of his career.
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