Carlos Alcaraz downs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, reaches title clash

World no. 3 Carlos Alcaraz will seek his sixth Masters 1000 title in Monte Carlo. Carlos reached Sunday’s final with a 7-6, 6-4 triumph over his compatriot Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in two hours and nine minutes. 

Alcaraz will seek his first Masters 1000 crown since Indian Wells last year against Lorenzo Musetti or Alex de Minaur. World no. 3 had to dig deep in the opening set despite forging a 5-2 advantage. Alejandro bounced back and fought hard to reach a tie break. 

Carlos clinched it and gained a boost. Davidovich Fokina asked for a medical timeout ahead of the second set, dealing with shoulder issues. He fought well in the second set but hit the exit door after getting broken in the opening game.

Carlos Alcaraz 🇪🇸 vs Davidovich Fokina 🇪🇸#RolexMonteCarloMasters SFpic.twitter.com/OQ5oSPz8sr

Alcaraz played against seven break points and defended five. He generated massive 19 break chances and seized only three, missing an opportunity to seal the deal at least half an hour earlier! Carlos saved three break points in the first game of the match.

He broke in the next one and led 3-0 before Alejandro pulled the break back in game five. World no. 3 secured another return game in game six and held for a 5-2 advantage. The older Spaniard saved two break points on serve in game eight. 

Carlos missed a set point on serve in game nine and got broken again to keep his rival in contention. The set went into a tie break, and Alcaraz clinched it 7-2 with three straight mini-breaks. Thus, the favorite wrapped up the opener in 65 minutes and provided a boost.

The 21-year-old converted the fourth break chance in the first game of the second set and wasted six more at 2-0. Alcaraz served well in games four, six and eight for 5-3, keeping the pressure on the other side. Davidovich Fokina faced the ultimate challenge in game nine.