Carlos Alcaraz delivered his first Monte Carlo victory. World no. 3 faced a tricky opponent in the second round and dominated sets two and three for his first triumph in the Principality. Alcaraz played against Francisco Cerundolo and won 3-6, 6-0, 6-1.
The Spaniard made a slow start before leaving his rival miles behind. The Argentine claimed only one game after the first set and hit the exit door after an hour and 38 minutes. The 2nd seed claimed 21 points more than his rival.
Carlos with a gorgeous backhand down the line winner against Cerundolo in Monte Carlo.
On the money. 💴
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) April 9, 2025
Carlos served at only 54% and faced seven break points. He got broken two times in a row in the opener before rising his level. The Spaniard stepped in on the return after the opener and clinched 53% of the return points. He converted them into six breaks from eight opportunities.
They sprayed 31 unforced errors each. Alcaraz hit eight winners more than his rival and forged a massive advantage from the baseline and at the net. The Spaniard broke in the third game of the encounter after forcing the rival’s mistake.
Carlos Alcaraz, Monte Carlo 2025© Stream screenshot
World no. 3 missed a backhand in the fourth game and brought his rival back to 2-2. Cerundolo stepped in on the return in game six and provided his second straight break for a 4-2 advantage. The Argentine held in the next one after the Spaniard’s loose backhand.
Francisco served for the opener in game nine and held at love with a service winner for 6-3 in 35 minutes. Carlos did not serve well at the beginning of the second set. He saved a pair of break points in games one and three and made a push on the return at 1-0.
Carlos Alcaraz & Francisco Cerundolo, Monte Carlo 2025© Stream screenshot
Cerundolo missed a forehand and experienced a break at 15. Alcaraz saved two break points in the next one and cemented the advantage. The Argentine played a loose drop shot in the fourth game, suffering a break at love and falling 4-0 behind.
Francisco served to stay in the set at 0-5 and got broken at 15 following Carlos’ fine forehand attack. Thus, the young gun claimed the set with a bagel and forced a decider after an hour and five minutes. The Spaniard served well in the decider and kept the pressure on the other side.
Carlos Alcaraz, Monte Carlo 2025© Stream screenshot
Cerundolo netted a backhand in the fourth game, lost serve and fell 3-1 behind. The better-ranked player provided a fine hold in the next one with a drop shot winner and stepped in on the return in the next one.
World no. 3 landed a forehand drive-volley winner for another break and a 5-1 advantage. Carlos served for the win in game seven and sealed the deal with a crafty drop shot, celebrating his first triumph in the Principality.
Tennis World USA