Alcaraz, Musetti arrange final duel

MONTE CARLO, Principality of Monaco (AFP) — Carlos Alcaraz booked his place in the final of the Monte Carlo Masters for the first time with a dominant 7-6 (7/2), 6-4 win over fellow Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina on Saturday.

He will face Italian Lorenzo Musetti on the red clay in Sunday’s final after the 13th seed fought back to beat Australian eighth seed Alex de Minaur 1-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) in the second semifinal.

“I knew how well Davidovich Fokina had played in Monte Carlo so I had to be ready to fight,” Alcaraz said.

Alcaraz, a four-time Grand Slam champion, is targeting his first Masters title since winning in Indian Wells last year.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve had the chance to win a title on clay and I can’t wait to try my luck again here,” said Alcaraz, who was beaten in the final of the Olympic tournament by Novak Djokovic in August.

“At the beginning of the week, the first tournament on clay, you have to get used to the conditions.”

“The ball comes different. You know, the play on clay is different.”

“I’m just really happy to get the level that I wanted at the beginning of the week.”

His only title this season remains the ATP 500 event in Rotterdam in February, but he appears to be enjoying his return to clay.

Alcaraz quickly became the tournament favorite following early exits for top seed Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic, while world number one Jannik Sinner is still serving a doping ban.

The 21-year-old admitted that he has felt some added pressure due to Sinner’s absence.