The final of the Monte-Carlo Masters will be a shootout between the world’s top two, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, after the former dispatched local hero and history-maker Valentin Vacherot in the semi-finals on Saturday.

Going into last year’s edition of the Monte-Carlo Masters, Vacherot was ranked 256th in the world. At the end of this year’s edition, he was guaranteed to be in the world’s top 20. Part of a semi-final line-up that included all of the world’s top three players (Alcaraz, Sinner, and Alexander Zverev), the winner of the Shanghai Masters certainly doesn’t look out of place. “It’s fantastic, and when I see the three other players, I am really proud to be amongst them,” said Vacherot after securing his place in the semis thanks to a win over Alex de Minaur the previous night (6-4, 3-6, 6-3).

“My biggest strength is that I’m playing at home,” said Vacherot pre-match. The Monégasque was pushed by the likes of Prince Albert II, Formula One drivers Oscar Piastri, Ollie Bearman, Alex Albon, and Gabriel Bortoleto, as well as tennis legend Boris Becker. “This is your moment,” they would chant, as Vacherot looked to match the intensity and aggression from the current world No.1 and reigning Monte-Carlo Masters champion, Alcaraz. If there were any nerves, and they certainly didn’t show, an imposing first service game from the Monégasque set the tone.

The difference between these two wasn’t flagrant, but it was unsurprisingly the current best-in-the-world who had the larger palette, mixing brute force with deft chips. Vacherot, who has had to contend with some humid night-time thrillers on Court Rainier III, was made to run. The physical element played its part in a match decided by fine margins.

It was in the third game that Alcaraz took the only break point on offer in the first set. Vacherot didn’t have the response, and whenever he tried to impose the rhythm, he couldn’t force the issue (6-4). It was a case of rinse and repeat for Alcaraz, who also made the break in the third game of the second set. But this time, Vacherot could muster a response and an immediate one at that, as he broke in the next game, gratefully accepting Alcaraz’s gift of a double-fault.

Now, Alcaraz was being pushed, and there was a scent of opportunity for Vacherot in Alcaraz’s next service game. At 30-15, the Spaniard almost double-faulted, but instead, he held. A roaring “Vamos” and a clenched fist from the man desperate to retain his title… and his No.1 standing.

Sinner untouchable on his service game

Alcaraz would break Vacherot in the next game and only needed to hold his serve to secure his place alongside Sinner in Sunday’s final. There would not be a second break of service and the tournament that Vacherot dreamt of winning more than a Grand Slam, slips through his fingers. His rise in recent months suggests he will have more chances. “I am happy to come out of this game feeling frustrated because it shows that I want to do better,” reacted Vacherot, Monaco’s history-maker, who departed the scene to a big ovation from the MCCC crowd, but not before wishing Alcaraz “good luck” for his final encounter.

The reigning champion, however, must go into the final as the underdog, given Sinner’s current form. The Italian’s run of winning 37 consecutive games in Masters events came to an end in the Round of 16, but after beating Felix Auger-Aliassime in straight sets in the quarter-final (6-3, 6-4), he then made light work of Alexander Zverev.

Three breaks of service in the opening set set him on his way to a place in Sunday’s final. His German opponent competed better in the second set but never got close to breaking Sinner’s serve. Audibly more physically exerted than his opponent, Zverev was always clinging on. He managed to do so on his service games, but only won two points out of a possible 20 on Sinner’s service game. Mechanical, robotic, tidy are words often used to describe Sinner’s style and they were all pertinent here. He was controlled and unfazed before choosing his moment to accelerate and land the final blow.

A fine shot down the line set up two match points in what would be Zverev’s final service game. In such ruthless form, Sinner only needed one (6-1, 6-4). It sets up the final that many anticipated… and wanted.

Stay updated with Monaco Life: sign up for our free newsletter, catch our podcast on Spotify, and follow us across Facebook,  Instagram, LinkedIn, and Tik Tok.

Photo credit: Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life