Carlos Alcaraz bounced back from a disappointing American swing with aplomb, comfortably defeating Sebastian Baez in Monte Carlo.
Alcaraz rarely looked troubled during the second-round contest, eventually defeating the Argentine 6-1, 6-3.
Alcaraz, who is aiming to win a second consecutive title in Monaco, accepted that he may lose the world number one spot to Jannik Sinner while speaking to the media after the match.
Carlos Alcaraz concedes Jannik Sinner will become world number one!
Will it happen this week in Monte Carlo?
Despite this potential setback, Alcaraz refuses to let his mood be dampened, as demonstrated by his dominant performance against Baez.
The Spaniard also has reason to be pleased after matching one of his own personal records.
Carlos Alcaraz has won 14 consecutive matches on clay
As per statisticians OptaAce, Carlos Alcaraz has claimed his 14th consecutive win on clay, equalling his longest win streak on this surface at ATP-level.
The record dates back to last year, when Alcaraz won back-to-back titles at the Italian Open and Roland Garros.
Alcaraz previously won 14 consecutive matches in 2022 between the Barcelona Open and Roland Garros.
That year, Alcaraz won the Barcelona Open and Madrid Open, before losing in the French Open quarter-finals to German star Alexander Zverev.
Alcaraz could break his all-time record with victory in his Monte Carlo third round match.
Alcaraz will either face clay-court maestro Tomas Etcheverry, or Cincinnati Open semi-finalist Terence Atmane.
Alcaraz has never played Atmane or Etcheverry on the ATP Tour.
If Alcaraz wins his third-round match, he will play either Jiri Lehecka, Alejandro Tabilo, Gael Monfils, or Alexander Bublik in the fourth round.
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Carlos Alcaraz’s first ATP win on clay
In 2020, 16-year-old Carlos Alcaraz made his ATP debut at the Rio Open.
The young starlet, who was ranked 406th on the ATP Tour and received a wildcard into the main draw, stunned seventh seed and countryman Albert Ramos Vinolas 7-6, 4-6, 7-6 in the first round.
As per the ATP Tour, Alcaraz said: “I will remember Rio forever. I am very happy to win my first ATP Tour match.
“This has been the longest and most intense match I’ve played so far. There were quite difficult conditions, but if you have the right attitude, the conditions don’t matter. You can achieve anything.”
Alcaraz’s tournament was ended by Argentine Federico Coria, who defeated the 16-year-old 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.
Chilean Cristian Garin went on to win the title, defeating Gianluca Mager in the final.
