Alcaraz Secures First Victory as Djokovic Stumbles in Monte-Carlo
Novak Djokovic expressed disappointment over his "horrible" performance after being eliminated from the Monte-Carlo Masters in his opening match on Wednesday. In contrast, Carlos Alcaraz mounted a comeback for his first victory at the tournament....
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Novak Djokovic expressed disappointment over his "horrible" performance after being eliminated from the Monte-Carlo Masters in his opening match on Wednesday. In contrast, Carlos Alcaraz mounted a comeback for his first victory at the tournament.
Ranked fifth, Djokovic struggled to establish his rhythm, ultimately losing 6-3, 6-4 to Chilean Alejandro Tabilo in the second round, marking a tough start to his clay season.
The 37-year-old Djokovic entered the tournament dealing with an eye infection that has affected him since the semi-finals in Miami at the end of March. He acknowledged that he did not harbor "very high" expectations for Monte-Carlo.
As it turned out, a lackluster performance allowed Tabilo, who had previously defeated Djokovic on clay during last year's Italian Open in Rome, to secure a rare 2-0 advantage in their head-to-head meetings against the 24-time Grand Slam champion.
"Just horrible. Horrible feeling to play this way, and just sorry for all the people that have to witness this," Djokovic stated.
The Serbian player, who is pursuing his 100th ATP title, has not won a tournament since clinching gold at the Paris Olympics last year. Tabilo, currently ranked 32 in the world, will face Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov in the last 16.
Meanwhile, Alcaraz achieved his first-ever Monte-Carlo victory, coming back from a set down to defeat Francisco Cerundolo 3-6, 6-0, 6-1.
Following a mixed tour in America, where he reached the semi-finals in Indian Wells but suffered an early exit to David Goffin in Miami, the 21-year-old Spaniard made a successful return to clay.
His prior appearance in Monte-Carlo in 2022 ended in a three-set loss to Sebastian Korda.
Alcaraz, ranked third in the world, had a rocky start against the energetic Argentinian, who outlasted him in lengthy cross-court exchanges. After gaining an early break, Alcaraz lost four consecutive games, allowing Cerundolo to take the set.
However, from that point forward, it was all Alcaraz. He lost only one game over the next two sets, powering through to victory in one hour and 38 minutes.
The second seed has set up a last 16 match against German Daniel Altmaier, ranked 84th in the world, who edged out French veteran Richard Gasquet 7-5, 5-7, 6-2.
Gasquet, 38, competed for the final time in Monte-Carlo, receiving a warm reception from a crowd that has supported him since his tournament debut as a 15-year-old wild card in 2002.
Anna Muller for TROIB News
Ranked fifth, Djokovic struggled to establish his rhythm, ultimately losing 6-3, 6-4 to Chilean Alejandro Tabilo in the second round, marking a tough start to his clay season.
The 37-year-old Djokovic entered the tournament dealing with an eye infection that has affected him since the semi-finals in Miami at the end of March. He acknowledged that he did not harbor "very high" expectations for Monte-Carlo.
As it turned out, a lackluster performance allowed Tabilo, who had previously defeated Djokovic on clay during last year's Italian Open in Rome, to secure a rare 2-0 advantage in their head-to-head meetings against the 24-time Grand Slam champion.
"Just horrible. Horrible feeling to play this way, and just sorry for all the people that have to witness this," Djokovic stated.
The Serbian player, who is pursuing his 100th ATP title, has not won a tournament since clinching gold at the Paris Olympics last year. Tabilo, currently ranked 32 in the world, will face Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov in the last 16.
Meanwhile, Alcaraz achieved his first-ever Monte-Carlo victory, coming back from a set down to defeat Francisco Cerundolo 3-6, 6-0, 6-1.
Following a mixed tour in America, where he reached the semi-finals in Indian Wells but suffered an early exit to David Goffin in Miami, the 21-year-old Spaniard made a successful return to clay.
His prior appearance in Monte-Carlo in 2022 ended in a three-set loss to Sebastian Korda.
Alcaraz, ranked third in the world, had a rocky start against the energetic Argentinian, who outlasted him in lengthy cross-court exchanges. After gaining an early break, Alcaraz lost four consecutive games, allowing Cerundolo to take the set.
However, from that point forward, it was all Alcaraz. He lost only one game over the next two sets, powering through to victory in one hour and 38 minutes.
The second seed has set up a last 16 match against German Daniel Altmaier, ranked 84th in the world, who edged out French veteran Richard Gasquet 7-5, 5-7, 6-2.
Gasquet, 38, competed for the final time in Monte-Carlo, receiving a warm reception from a crowd that has supported him since his tournament debut as a 15-year-old wild card in 2002.
Anna Muller for TROIB News
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