Alcaraz rallies to comeback win in Monte Carlo

Carlos Alcaraz rallied to a comeback victory over Francisco Cerundolo in his first clay-court match of the season at the Monte Carlo Masters.

Spanish world number three Alcaraz was unable to match Argentine Cerundolo in the first set but dominated thereafter, winning 12 of the last 13 games of the contest.

The 21-year-old French Open champion prevailed 3-6 6-0 6-1 to earn the first win of his career in Monte Carlo - and set up a third-round meeting with German qualifier Daniel Altmaier.

Later on Wednesday, Serbia's two-time champion Novak Djokovic begins his latest pursuit of a 100th ATP Tour title against Alejandro Tabilo of Chile.

Competing for the first time since his opening defeat at the Miami Open last month, Alcaraz clinched the first break of serve but fell a set down after losing five of the following six games.

It only added to the confidence of Cerundolo, who is tied for the most wins on the ATP Tour this season (17).

But Alcaraz raised his level in crucial moments early in the second set - winning two of his three break points in Cerundolo's opening two service games, while his opponent failed to take any of his four.

Seeking the sixth ATP Masters 1000 title of his career, Alcaraz continued to improve after completing his second-set whitewash, closing out victory with another five-game streak as Cerundolo's belief waned.

Alcaraz, beaten in his only previous match in Monte Carlo in 2022, said: "I didn't start well. I made a lot of mistakes. After the first set I knew I had to do something else, play more aggressively, play my own tennis."

Successful at Roland Garros and Olympic runner-up at the same venue last year, Alcaraz has won 13 of his last 14 matches on clay.

He added in his post-match interview that it was currently his favourite surface to play on, as he builds towards the defence of his French Open title.