Alcaraz, like a child with new shoes

Andrés Tomás Rico | 7 Apr 2026 | 15.00

Alcaraz, like a child with new shoes. Photo: Getty Images

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New clay court tour, and there is the same Carlos Alcaraz, who enjoys sliding on the clay court, thrilled to get his socks dirty again. He starts the clay court tour as he finished it: winning and putting on a show. This time it was Sebastián Báez who suffered (6-1), unable to do much against the champion's fun debut at the Masters 1000 in Monte Carlo, sending a warning to everyone: this is his territory.

The champion was back where he started his historic clay court tour last year. Coincidentally, following certain patterns, after an early defeat in Miami, he debuted in Monte Carlo against an Argentine, facing Fran Cerúndolo in 2025 and Sebastian Báez in 2026.

The impressive debut of Carlos Alcaraz at the 2026 Monte Carlo Masters 1000

A déjà vu confirmed from the start of the match, as the Spaniard unleashed his dominant game on a surface where his tennis is even more complete: his forehand gains more spin and weight, and he defends even better thanks to the 'slowness' of the clay.

It was like an animal returning to its natural habitat because within fifteen minutes, he had already secured a 4-0 lead. Two early breaks, partly helped by Báez's unforced errors, but also due to the control in exchanges by the Murcian, who enjoyed his shots and executed drop shots. In short, he flowed on the Monegasque court.

One of the challenges Alcaraz faces in Monte Carlo is defending the world number one spot. If Jannik Sinner wins the tournament, he will reclaim the top position, even if he reaches the semifinals while the Murcian is eliminated in the quarters. The Italian had been in great form, having recently won the Sunshine Double (Indian Wells and Miami) and had dominated his debut against Ugo Humbert (6-3, 6-0) shortly before Alcaraz's debut.

Alcaraz dominates clay court, to Báez's dismay

Therefore, aware that Sinner was chasing him, the world number one also aimed to show dominance and an impenetrable wall. It was also a clear message to his friend and rival: he was not going to lose ground. The first set of his clay court tour ended with a clear 6-1 in 27 minutes.

The high bounces, drop shots, skids all over the court, and the Monte Carlo stands relished it. Despite Báez's intensity and effort, there was always an answer on the other side of the net, breaking the Argentine's serve again at the start of the second set.

The match increasingly tilted, and the second set followed the same path as the first. Alcaraz, step by step, approached the second round of the Monegasque tournament. Suddenly, Báez woke up and capitalized on a poor serving game from the Murcian to break back and add some excitement to a match that was practically decided.

However, this was not the Alcaraz of the past who suffered disconnects, got blocked and let his opponent back into the match. The world number one had left behind those situations long ago. He endured Báez's final surge, prevented him from equalizing the score, and broke serve again to wrap up the match 6-1, 6-3.

He didn't need his brightest form but the most effective one. The world number one starts his clay court tour with a victory, a tour that will demand his best from the first minute. And in case you didn't know, Carlos Alcaraz is thrilled with this challenge.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Alcaraz, como un niño con zapatos nuevos

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