Carlos Alcaraz advanced to back-to-back Monte Carlo finals with a 6-4, 6-4 triumph over Valentin Vacherot on Court Rainier III at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, setting up a high-stakes final clash with Jannik Sinner. The anticipated DREAM final between Sinner and Alcaraz would decide the world No. 1 crown, as the two young stars prepared to square off in 2026 for the top ranking.
In a brisk one hour and 24 minutes, Alcaraz dominated the opening set, breaking in the third game and holding serve as he closed it out while losing just three points on serve. The second set followed a similar pattern, with Vacherot breaking early but failing to sustain it. At 4-4, the Montenegrin-born player missed a crucial 40-15 chance, surrendering four consecutive points and the advantage, before Alcaraz seized the next game to seal the match.
Alcaraz finished the win with an impressive 81% of first-serve points won, continuing his outstanding form on clay. Vacherot, ranked No. 23 and projected to rise to No. 17 in the next rankings update, put in a strong run but could not clinch the upset against the Spaniard. The result marks Alcaraz’s 26th clay-court victory in his last 27 on the surface and his 38th career ATP final, his 17th final on clay, and his 10th at the Masters 1000 level. He also joined Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic as the third player in history to reach double-digit Masters finals before turning 23.
Valentin Vacherot’s performance this week has been notable, defeating big names like Lorenzo Musetti, Hubert Hurkacz, and Alex de Minaur, further raising his profile on the tour. However, against Carlitos, the home favorite conceded the match, ending his impressive run with a positive record against the top five now standing at 2-2 for him. With this win, Alcaraz moves one step closer to a landmark Monte Carlo title and a climactic final against Sinner, who will be eager to claim the No. 1 ranking in what promises to be a blockbuster showdown.