Carlos Alcaraz secured his place in the Monte Carlo Masters final by ending local player Valentin Vacherot's impressive run with a decisive 6-4, 6-4 victory. The Spanish player now has the opportunity to defend his title at the ATP Masters 1000 clay-court tournament.

In the semifinal match on Rainier III court on 11/4, the 22-year-old effectively neutralized the powerful serve and aggressive play of Vacherot, who enjoyed enthusiastic support from the home crowd. Alcaraz converted three of four break points, sealing his win in 84 minutes.

Alcaraz (left) consoles Vacherot after their Monte Carlo Masters semifinal match, on Rainier III court, Monte Carlo Country Club, Monaco on 11/4. *Photo: Reuters*

Earlier in the day, Jannik Sinner defeated Alexander Zverev 6-1, 6-4 in the first semifinal, setting up a highly anticipated "blockbuster" final. The championship match is scheduled for 20h today, 12/4 (Hanoi time).

The Monte Carlo Masters final between Alcaraz and Sinner carries double significance. Beyond being the first clay-court Masters 1000 title of the year, the winner will also claim the world number 1 ranking on monday, 13/4. Sinner is striving to end the dominance of Alcaraz, who recently matched the Italian player's record of 66 weeks at world number 1.

"I think this is a dream position for anyone. I am competing for my second Monte Carlo title, while he is aiming for his first," Alcaraz said regarding the final, which marks their first encounter since the 2025 ATP Finals. He added, "The world number 1 ranking is fiercely contested, which makes the final even more special."

Alcaraz also praised Vacherot, the first Monaco player to reach both the quarterfinals and semifinals of Monte Carlo in the Open Era. The 27-year-old, who caused a sensation by winning the Shanghai Masters last October while ranked world number 204, secured an early break in the second set but could not halt Alcaraz's momentum. Despite the loss, Vacherot will rise 6 spots to world number 17, a career high.

The semifinal on 11/4 also saw Sinner extend his winning streak against Zverev to 8 consecutive matches on the ATP Tour. With a 21-match winning streak at Masters 1000 events, following titles in Paris last November and Indian Wells and Miami last month, Sinner became the fourth player in history to reach the final of all three opening Masters 1000 tournaments of the season (after Roger Federer in 2006, Rafael Nadal in 2011, and Novak Djokovic in 2015).

"I am very happy. I came here to test myself on clay, and reaching the final means a lot to me," Sinner said. "Now let's see what happens in the final. I have nothing to lose, so of course I will give my best tomorrow."

By Vy Anh