MONTE CARLO - Second seed Carlos Alcaraz will open his run at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, facing world No. 22 Francisco Cerundolo for the first time on the clay surface, their third meeting overall at tour level.
Following an early exit at the Miami Open presented by Itau, world No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz arrived in Monte-Carlo ready to launch his clay season, which will see him entering for the first time as Roland-Garros defending champion.
The 17-time ATP titlist is setting off his second appearance at the first Masters 1000 of the season on clay, the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, on Wednesday.
In the build-up to the second-round match, he shared his expectations with the ATP Media, transitioning from the hard court surface to the red clay.
“It is a tournament I have only played [once]. I want to come here and play great. I am really excited about practicing here and getting ready for my first match,” asserted the Spaniard at the Monte-Carlo Country Club.
The four-time major champion captured 8 of his 17 titles at tour level on the clay surface, which also suits well his next opponent, Argentine Francisco Cerundolo.
The former world No. 19 cruised past former champion Fabio Fognini 6-0, 6-3 on Monday evening, achieving his 17th win of the season.
Alcaraz leads Cerundolo 2-0 in their series, however, they will clash on tour for the first time this week, playing on the red clay surface.
This season, the Murcia-born did not compete in the “Golden Swing” held in South America.
But the Argentine did, showcasing great form to reach the final at his home event, the Argentine Open, falling to rising talent Joao Fonseca, who claimed his maiden title on tour at the ATP 250.
At the Rio Open, the 26-year-old got halted in the quarterfinals by Frenchman Alexandre Muller, a player who impressed with his run of form on Brazilian soil at the ATP 500, progressing to the championship match where he fell to home favorite Sebastian Baez.
“There are so many players who play well on clay and all surfaces. It is going to be interesting. I see a lot of players capable of doing great things on clay,” added Alcaraz.
Early in March, Cerundolo, the Chile Open top seed, went the distance to reach the semifinals at the venue, beaten by eventual champion Serbian Laslo Djere.
All three Golden Swing tournaments are contested on clay surfaces.
The Buenos Aires native has shown he adapts quickly to all surfaces, transitioning to the hard courts in North America and making back-to-back quarterfinals in the “Sunshine Double.”
