New Delhi: Amid a crescendo of cheers, Carlos Alcarz treks to his maiden Monte-Carlo final. The 21-year-old showcased an epic showdown as he conquered capatriot Alejandro Davidovich Fokina by a scoreline of 7-6(2), 6-4.
Davidovich Fokina saved a staggering 16 of 19 breakpoints and refused to go away quietly, even fending off four match points late in the second set before finally falling 7-6(3), 6-4. It was a rollercoaster of a match that saw both players dig deep, test each other’s limits, and showcase some vintage clay-court shot-making. However, Alcaraz had good control over his nerves and made it through the crucial points effortlessly.
Charly back in charge ✨@carlosalcaraz books his 1st Masters 1000 final since Indian Wells last March!@ROLEXMCMASTERS | #RolexMonteCarloMasters pic.twitter.com/hpnkT3R8Jx
— ATP Tour (@atptour) April 12, 2025
The opening set was full of swings as Alcaraz drew first blood with a break in the second game, using his signature blend of speed and creativity to stay on the front foot. But Davidovich Fokina wasn’t going to let his friend run away with it. He battled back to level at 3-3, breaking Alcaraz with a brilliant forehand down the line.
The set then turned into a tug-of-war. The 2022 US Open winner used a mix of drop shots, volleys, and powerful forehands to go up 5-2, but Davidovich Fokina showed incredible resolve. He saved multiple set points with clever net play and broke back as Alcaraz’s errors began creeping in. After forcing a tiebreaker, Alcaraz finally steadied himself, racing out to a 4-0 lead before sealing the set on his fourth set point, a full 29 minutes after his first opportunity.
The second set started with more of the same. Alcaraz broke early and applied pressure, generating 10 breakpoints in his opponent’s first two service games. But Davidovich Fokina, wearing canary-yellow shorts and a warrior’s mindset, dug in deep and held his ground. He saved six break points in one game alone to keep things close.
Alcaraz eventually got his breakthrough but in the closing moments, he proved tricky and outperformed his friend. Davidovich Fokina saved four match points, including one with a nerveless volley, and forced the world No. 3 to serve for it at 5-4. Alcaraz didn’t flinch. On his sixth match point, he finally broke through with a thunderous forehand—ending a fierce battle that lasted over two hours.
The moment @carlosalcaraz defeated Fokina 7-6 6-4 to secure his maiden #RolexMonteCarloMasters final 👏 pic.twitter.com/d1BZt5oOmB
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 12, 2025
What next?
With the win, the 21-year-old Spaniard has now reached his 23rd tour-level final and his first since winning the title in Rotterdam back in February. He will now face either eighth-seeded Alex de Minaur or 13th-seeded Lorenzo Musetti in Sunday’s final.
Carlos Alcaraz battles past his friend Davidovich Fokina in a gritty Monte Carlo semifinal to reach his seventh Masters 1000 final. Tennis Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
