Carlos Alcaraz Advances to Quarterfinals of Monte Carlo Masters After Hard-Fought Victory Over Etcheverry Carlos Alcaraz secured his place in the quarterfinals of the Monte Carlo Masters after a closely contested three-set victory over Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry on April 9, 2026. The match, which lasted nearly two and a half hours, saw Alcaraz overcome early challenges to claim a 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 win, setting up a clash against qualifier Elena Bublik in the next round. The first set was dominated by Alcaraz, who showcased his trademark power and precision on clay. With a sharp first serve and deep groundstrokes, the Spanish world No. 1 broke Etcheverry’s serve early and maintained control, sealing the set with a commanding 6-1. However, Etcheverry responded in the second set, adopting a more tactical approach. The Argentine’s composure and ability to capitalize on Alcaraz’s occasional errors allowed him to take the second set 6-4, forcing the match into a decisive third. The third set proved to be a rollercoaster for both players. Alcaraz, who had struggled with consistency in the second set, regrouped with renewed focus. He broke Etcheverry’s serve early in the set and maintained his composure to take the final set 6-3. Key moments included Alcaraz’s ability to save a break point in the second set and his relentless pressure in the third, which ultimately sealed his victory. Etcheverry, despite the loss, demonstrated resilience, particularly in the second set. His ability to stay calm under pressure and exploit Alcaraz’s unforced errors kept the match competitive. However, Alcaraz’s superior physicality and experience on clay proved decisive in the end.#carlos_alcaraz #monte_carlo_masters #clay_tennis #tomas_martin_etcheverry #elena_bublik
Medvedev's Racket Smashing and Double Bagel Defeat to Berrettini at Monte-Carlo Masters MONACO -- Former world No. 1 Daniil Medvedev suffered a dramatic 6-0, 6-0 defeat to Matteo Berrettini at the Monte Carlo Masters on Wednesday, marked by a series of explosive outbursts that included smashing his racket seven times on the red clay court. The match, which lasted just 49 minutes, ended with Medvedev discarding the mangled racket frame into a trash bin after a contentious second set. The incident drew a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct, and Medvedev is expected to face a significant fine for his actions. The Russian, ranked 10th in the world, struggled from the outset, dropping his first service game of the second set with a forehand into the net. Frustrated, he slammed his racket near the baseline, then hurled it toward a tarp at the end of the court. Medvedev continued to retrieve and smash the racket frame, eventually destroying it to the point where it could fit through a trash can opening. The crowd’s sarcastic cheers added to the tension as the match unfolded. Berrettini, ranked 90th and granted a wild-card entry for the tournament, delivered a dominant performance, winning 83% of his points and committing only three unforced errors. The Italian, a Wimbledon finalist in 2021, had previously struggled with injuries but showcased a career-best display, stating, “I think I missed three shots in the whole match.” His victory marked a historic milestone, as Berrettini became the fifth player since ATP rankings began in 1973 to defeat a top-10 opponent 6-0, 6-0—a score known as a double bagel. The last such occurrence was a decade ago when David Goffin beat Tomas Berdych at the Italian Open. Medvedev’s loss was a stark contrast to their previous three encounters, all of which he had won.#daniil_medvedev #matteo_berrettini #atp_rankings #monte_carlo_masters #clay_tennis
