Alcaraz Fights Through Slow Start to Reach First Monte Carlo Quarterfinal
Carlos Alcaraz has finally cracked the Monte Carlo code.
The Spanish phenom defeated Daniel Altmaier 6-3, 6-1 Thursday to advance to his first-ever Monte Carlo Masters quarterfinal, despite another trademark slow start.
| Name | Age | Points | Stats 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| es Carlos Alcaraz | 21 | 68,791 | 25 - 5 |
It’s a breakthrough moment for the 21-year-old, who had never even won a match at this prestigious clay event before this year. His only previous appearance ended with a first-round exit to Sebastian Korda back in 2022.
The match began with Alcaraz looking shaky. After Altmaier held serve, the second seed immediately faced trouble in his opening service game.
Five break points. Five escapes.
One of those saves produced perhaps the rally of the tournament. Alcaraz chased down a delicate drop shot from Altmaier before hitting a spectacular between-the-legs “tweener” that kept him alive in the point.
“I’m just really happy to be on clay again,” Alcaraz said after the match. “It has been a really good season so far. Probably struggling a little bit in the last one, but coming on clay, which is a surface I love playing on and the surface I grew up playing on, it’s great to feel it again.”
The four-time Grand Slam champion finally found his rhythm midway through the first set, breaking for a 3-2 lead.
Altmaier struck back immediately to level at 3-3.
Then Alcaraz shifted gears.
The Spaniard reeled off three straight games to pocket the opening set 6-3, breaking the German twice along the way.
Early in the second set, Alcaraz faced another test – three consecutive break points in his opening service game. Once again, he escaped.
From there, it was a masterclass. Alcaraz won five straight games from 1-1 to close out the match in style.
Despite the lopsided final scoreline, Alcaraz insisted the match was tougher than it appeared.
Next up is a quarterfinal showdown with Arthur Fils, a first-time meeting between two of the tour’s most exciting young talents.
“I’m playing a quarterfinal here for the first time,” Alcaraz said. “It’s gonna be difficult against Arthur Fils, who’s playing great tennis lately. He’s having a great season so far. So it’s gonna be an interesting match. I think it’s the first time I’m gonna play him. I think it’ll be beautiful to play, beautiful to watch. Hopefully, the people are gonna enjoy.”
For Alcaraz, who grew up playing on clay courts in Spain, this tournament represents a chance to add another prestigious title to his already impressive resume before the French Open arrives next month.
