dailyloe.com – World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz begins his Monte Carlo Masters title defense on Tuesday against Argentina’s Sebastian Baez. The third day of the prestigious clay-court tournament features several intriguing matchups. Players like Luciano Darderi and Hubert Hurkacz are also set for a first-time clash.
Alcaraz, the top seed, faces a specialist on the surface in Baez. The Spaniard is the favorite to advance from this opening round. His performance sets the tone for his entire clay season.
In another key match, Italy’s Luciano Darderi takes on Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz. This marks their first-ever professional meeting. Darderi holds an 8-3 record on clay so far in the 2026 season.
However, Darderi is coming off a surprising semifinal loss in Marrakech. That defeat to Marco Trungelliti delayed his entry into the world’s top 20. He now faces a significant challenge against the powerful Hurkacz.
Despite Hurkacz’s recent struggles with form, he remains a formidable opponent. The Pole has accumulated several losses since the Australian Open. This makes the match’s outcome particularly difficult to predict.
Elsewhere, Roberto Bautista Agut meets Matteo Berrettini. Bautista Agut entered as a lucky loser after a qualifying loss. He has never lost in the first round in 11 prior Monte Carlo appearances.
Berrettini is favored due to his superior firepower and cleaner ball-striking. The Italian’s strategy will likely involve shortening points. He is predicted to advance in straight sets.
The all-French battle between Corentin Moutet and Alexandre Muller renews a long-standing rivalry. They first met in an ITF final back in 2017. Moutet currently leads their head-to-head series 3-2.
The Monte Carlo Masters is a key preparatory event for the French Open. Its results offer early indicators of form on the European clay. The tournament continues through the weekend.[]
Source: Last Word On Sports
