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Alcaraz Triumphs in Monte Carlo Debut

In his first match following an early exit at the Miami Open last month, Carlos Alcaraz demonstrated resilience and skill as he faced off against Cerundolo. Although Alcaraz initially established a break of serve, he soon found himself struggling, losing five of the subsequent six games and dropping the first set.

This setback seemed to bolster Cerundolo’s confidence, who has tied for the ATP Tour lead in victories this season with 17 wins. However, Alcaraz regrouped in the second set, showcasing his ability to elevate his performance during critical moments. He capitalized on two out of three break points in Cerundolo’s initial two service games while denying his opponent any success on four break opportunities.

As Alcaraz aimed for his sixth ATP Masters 1000 title, he continued to assert his dominance by securing a comprehensive second-set victory, ultimately closing out the match with a powerful five-game streak. Cerundolo’s belief appeared to diminish as the match progressed, allowing Alcaraz to seize control.

Reflecting on his performance, Alcaraz admitted to a shaky start, admitting to a flurry of mistakes in the opening set. “I didn’t start well. I made a lot of mistakes. After the first set, I knew I had to do something else, play more aggressively, play my own tennis,” he explained.

The young Spaniard, who enjoyed success at Roland Garros and was an Olympic runner-up last year, concluded the 2024 clay season with an impressive 12 wins in 13 singles matches. In his post-match comments, he expressed a newfound affection for clay as he prepares to defend his title at the French Open.

Source
www.bbc.com