Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Bublik joked at net after their quarterfinal match at the Monte Carlo Masters.
Alcaraz claimed his 300th career win after beating Bublik 6-3, 6-0 to continue his title defence in Monte Carlo.
This was a first-time meeting between Alcaraz and Bublik, despite them both being ranked inside the top 10 this year.
After facing Alcaraz for the first time on clay, Bublik had some words at the net for the world number one.
Alexander Bublik tells Carlos Alcaraz he played him in his ‘worst conditions possible’
Bublik has enjoyed a breakout season on the ATP Tour over the past year, which has seen him win five titles, reach the quarterfinals of the French Open and make his top 10 debut.
What do you think is Carlos Alcaraz’s best surface and why?
Despite winning two titles on clay and reaching the quarterfinals of the French Open, Bublik joked with Alcaraz that he played him in his ‘worst conditions possible’.
Alcaraz then responded by admitting he was excited by the possibility of playing the big-serving Bublik on grass, as both players laughed.
Alcaraz: “Sorry man.”
Bublik: “It’s okay, good luck.”
Alcaraz: “Thank you so much.”
Bublik: “We played in my worst conditions possible.”
Alcaraz: “I’m excited to play you on grass.”
Carlos Alcaraz surpasses Lleyton Hewitt after reaching Monte Carlo Masters semifinals
Not only has Alcaraz won his 300th career match after beating Bublik, but he has also been able to overtake former world number one Lleyton Hewitt in a different record.
As reported by OptaAce, Alcaraz has now overtaken Hewitt for the most Masters 1000 semifinals before turning 23 years old.
Can Carlos Alcaraz win MORE Grand Slams than Novak Djokovic? 🤔
Alcaraz has reached his 14th Masters 1000 semifinal in Monte Carlo this year, and now only Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic sit ahead of him.
The Madrid Open is the only Masters 1000 tournament Alcaraz can play before his 23rd birthday, and so therefore he can not overtake Djokovic in second place.
| ATP Players with most Masters 1000 semifinals since turning 23 | Number of semifinals |
| Rafael Nadal | 25 |
| Novak Djokovic | 17 |
| Carlos Alcaraz | 14* |
| Lleyton Hewitt | 13 |
| Pete Sampras | 12 |
From the 13 previous Masters 1000 semifinals Alcaraz has reached, he has gone on to win the title at eight of them.
Alcaraz will look to make it nine by defending his Monte Carlo Masters title, as he will now play Monegasque Valentin Vacherot, another player who he has never faced before.
