It was a day for the favourites at the Monte-Carlo Masters. Reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz progressed, as did the rampant Jannik Sinner, whilst Gael Monfils waved an emotional goodbye.
Whilst the main court was not drenched in sun as it so often is, there was no doubt that it was the place to be on Tuesday, with the world’s top two in action. Both had been given byes for the first round and were strong favourites in their respective ties. With the first game of the day ending prematurely, with Roberto Bautista Agut shaking Matteo Berrettini’s hand after just four games, confirming the latter’s progression, Sinner came on a little past midday.
In his way stood Frenchman Ugo Humbert. However, it was Sinner who evidently had the court on his side, with the Monte-Carlo Country Club awash with Italians who had made the short trip to support their national icon. This pair last met back in 2021, also on clay in Rome. On that day, it was Humbert who got the better of Sinner, but the chances of repeating the feat always looked slim.
Alcaraz wary of Sinner threat
It is not merely the fact that Sinner has since won four Grand Slams, but it was also a question of bad timing. No one wants to oppose Sinner at the minute. The Italian recently became just the third tennis player, after Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, to win three consecutive Masters events and the first to pull off the feat without losing a single set. Going into the Monte-Carlo Masters, he had won 34 consecutive sets, winning firstly in Paris and then completing the prestigious “Sunshine Double” by triumphing at Indian Wells and the Miami Open.
His impressive run never looked like ending on the MonĂ©gasque clay. Sinner broke in the fifth game of the first set. He almost broke the Frenchman again in the seventh, but around a packed Court Rainier III, there was never an impression of momentum shifting. Another break from Sinner concluded the first set. By the start of the second, the meek resistance was broken. Humbert failed to keep serve once, Sinner wasn’t broken as he punished his opponent’s errors, taking five of his eight break points (6-3, 6-0).
That is now 36 sets unbeaten for Sinner in a Masters event. Over to you, Alcaraz, who was next up on main court and made short work of his opponent. It took Sinner 64 minutes to dispatch Humbert, and Alcaraz 69 to overcome Sebastien Baez. Alcaraz was almost walking on water as he secured the first set emphatically (6-1), and he continued his saunter towards victory in the second, at least until 3-0.
Then came a period of resistance from his Argentinian opponent. Baez saved his serve from 40-0 down and then began to rally. He then broke Alcaraz in the seventh game before the Spaniard dialled back in, breaking immediately and seeing out the win (6-1, 6-3). Alcaraz and Sinner were passing ships in the night on Tuesday, but the former is looking over his shoulder at the latter. “Honestly, I am going to lose my No.1 ranking. I don’t know if it will be at this tournament or at the next,” admitted Alcaraz, who on his best surface is well aware of how hard it will be to defend his Monte-Carlo Masters title this week.
Monfils reflects on “honour and privilege” on playing at Monte-Carlo Masters
The final act of the day provided a moment to say goodbye. On a day for favourites, it was Alexander Bublik, the No.8 seed, who held that title as wildcard Gael Monfils walked onto the MonĂ©gasque clay, ultimately for the final time. This is Monfils’ final season in professional tennis; he is now on the lap of honour, and he was warmly greeted by fans at the MCCC. “I am trying to be as competitive as possible,” said the Frenchman, who once ranked as high as sixth in the world. There were still moments of panache, of deftness, nonchalance even, in the image of his no-look drop shot, and so, whilst Monfils put on a show, he could not overcome Bublik, his former sparring partner.
Monfils was broken in the fourth game of the first set but then immediately hit back, before faltering when serving to keep in the set (6-4). He incredibly held serve in the eighth game of the second set as the fans roared him on. He would not go meekly, but serving to extend his final stay at the MCCC, Bublik struck to win 6-4, 6-4. “You try and put the emotions to one side, but when it’s over, everything comes back,” said Monfils, who stood motionless in the middle of the court as images of his exploits at the Monte-Carlo Masters of yesteryear were played in front of him and the crowd.
He made his debut at the MCCC in 2005. 11 years later, he waves goodbye. “You’re learning to turn a page. It isn’t easy,” said the Frenchman, who, despite being on the wind-down, has not lost his competitive spirit. He apologised to the fans post-match. “I really wanted to do better. Sometimes I want to do better, but the body doesn’t allow it,” he said.
“It was an honour and a privilege for me [to play here]. It is a magnificent tournament, if not one of the most beautiful in the world,” said Monfils. It will now go on without him.
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All photos credit: Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life