At the beginning of the third-round Monte-Carlo Masters match between Carlos Alcaraz and Tomas Martin Etcheverry, the Argentine might have wished he could start everything all over. He was overwhelmed by a top-form Alcaraz and could do little to keep pace either on his service games or with returns.
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At the beginning of the third-round Monte-Carlo Masters match between Carlos Alcaraz and Tomas Martin Etcheverry, the Argentine might have wished he could start everything all over. He was overwhelmed by a top-form Alcaraz and could do little to keep pace either on his service games or with returns.
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Tennis fans watching the match might have assumed they could make early dinner plans, but do so quickly because the match was likely to be quick. The top-seed and ATP No. 1 took set one 6-1, winning 67 percent of the points. Hardly any game was close, and the match certainly wasn't.
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Tennis fans watching the match might have assumed they could make early dinner plans, but do so quickly because the match was likely to be quick. The top-seed and ATP No. 1 took set one 6-1, winning 67 percent of the points. Hardly any game was close, and the match certainly wasn’t.
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It all made sense, of course. While Etcheverry is No. 30 on the ATP tour with a career-high of No. 27, he is 0-18 against top-10 opponents. Of course, Carlos Alcaraz is no normal top-10 player, but instead a generational talent who will likely finish as one of the best to ever pick up a racket. There was no shame if the Argentine lost the second set by the same score as the first.
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It all made sense, of course. While Etcheverry is No. 30 on the ATP tour with a career-high of No. 27, he is 0-18 against top-10 opponents. Of course, Carlos Alcaraz is no normal top-10 player, but instead a generational talent who will likely finish as one of the best to ever pick up a racket. There was no shame if the Argentine lost the second set by the same score as the first.
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Carlos Alcaraz wasn't perfect but was good enough against Tomas Martin Etcheverry at the Monte-Carlo Masters
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Carlos Alcaraz wasn’t perfect but was good enough against Tomas Martin Etcheverry at the Monte-Carlo Masters
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The set wasn't meant to go the way of the former, however. Etcheverry stunningly got a break of the Spaniard early, and pushed Alcaraz again with the Spaniard serving 1-3. On break point, a second serve by Alcaraz spun in, and Etcheverry mashed a backhand for a winner. He found himself up 4-1 and on serve.
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The set wasn’t meant to go the way of the former, however. Etcheverry stunningly got a break of the Spaniard early, and pushed Alcaraz again with the Spaniard serving 1-3. On break point, a second serve by Alcaraz spun in, and Etcheverry mashed a backhand for a winner. He found himself up 4-1 and on serve.
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Somewhat strangely, the same issue happened with Jannik Sinner earlier on Thursday. The Italian also jumped out to a 6-1 first-set lead, and then struggled in set two, forcing him to win a third set. The question with Alcaraz was whether he would need to play a third.
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Somewhat strangely, the same issue happened with Jannik Sinner earlier on Thursday. The Italian also jumped out to a 6-1 first-set lead, and then struggled in set two, forcing him to win a third set. The question with Alcaraz was whether he would need to play a third.
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The Spaniard was able to get a break back and a hold to get to 3-4, but after pushing Etcheverry on the Argentinian's next service game, including a break point, Alcaraz couldn't get the break and was down 3-5. The players then traded holds, and Etcheverry did indeed force a decisive final set.
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The Spaniard was able to get a break back and a hold to get to 3-4, but after pushing Etcheverry on the Argentinian’s next service game, including a break point, Alcaraz couldn’t get the break and was down 3-5. The players then traded holds, and Etcheverry did indeed force a decisive final set.
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The third set reverted to reality, though. While Carlos Alcaraz decided to be less bombastic, but more accurate, with his forehand, Etcheverry tried to hit bigger, and it didn't work. The Spaniard got the early break and coasted from there. Any potential high-end drama with the outcome of the match was long gone by the time Alcaraz led 4-1. He would win the set 6-3.
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The third set reverted to reality, though. While Carlos Alcaraz decided to be less bombastic, but more accurate, with his forehand, Etcheverry tried to hit bigger, and it didn’t work. The Spaniard got the early break and coasted from there. Any potential high-end drama with the outcome of the match was long gone by the time Alcaraz led 4-1. He would win the set 6-3.
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Carlos Alcaraz will next play Alexander Bublik in the 2026 Monte-Carlo Masters quarterfinals. Bublik defeated a red-hot Jiri Lehecka in straight sets in the third round. Oddly, Bublik and Alcaraz have never played one another.
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Carlos Alcaraz will next play Alexander Bublik in the 2026 Monte-Carlo Masters quarterfinals. Bublik defeated a red-hot Jiri Lehecka in straight sets in the third round. Oddly, Bublik and Alcaraz have never played one another.