Monaco:Top contenders Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz battled through mid-match lapses before advancing to the quarterfinals of the prestigious Monte-Carlo Masters, keeping alive their race for the world No.1 ranking.
World No.2 Sinner showed early dominance but was pushed hard by Tomáš Macháč before sealing a 6-1, 6-7(3), 6-3 victory.
The Italian raced through the opening set but appeared to lose rhythm in the second, allowing Macháč to level the contest in a tense tie-break. Regaining composure in the decider, Sinner capitalized on his opponent’s errors to close out the match after just over two hours. The win extended his strong run at Masters-level events and kept him firmly in contention for the top ranking.
Defending champion Alcaraz experienced a similar roller-coaster encounter against Tomás Martín Etcheverry. The Spaniard looked untouchable in the first set, winning it 6-1, but unforced errors crept into his game in the second as Etcheverry fought back to force a deciding set. Alcaraz regrouped under pressure, breaking early in the third set and eventually securing a 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 win after more than two hours on court.
Reflecting on his performance, Alcaraz acknowledged the dip in consistency but praised his opponent’s resilience, particularly on clay. The Spaniard now prepares for a quarterfinal clash against Alexander Bublik, a player known for his creativity and drop-shot skills.
Meanwhile, Sinner is set to face Felix Auger-Aliassime in the last eight, with both players aiming to build momentum on the Monte Carlo clay.
With both stars showing flashes of brilliance despite brief stumbles, the tournament is shaping up for a compelling finish as the battle for supremacy intensifies on the Mediterranean coast.
Source: NDTV Sports
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