Carlos Alcaraz insists that his shock exit at the Monte Carlo Masters was not a consequence of his sudden rise to fame which has seen him earmarked as a future Grand Slam champion and World No 1.
The 18-year-old Spaniard, seeded eight, was stunned 7-6 (2), 6-7(5), 6-3 by American Sebastian Korda in their second round clash on Wednesday.
Alcaraz had arrived on the back of winning the prestigious Miami Masters title.
However, the World No 11 was outgunned by Korda in a thrilling clay court battle lasting just over three hours.
“I’m a bit disappointed with myself. I had a lot of chances to be up in the match and close to winning, but these losses are sometimes good to live. You have to play matches,” Alcaraz said.
“But I didn’t think about the expectations that the people have for me. I just focused on me and what I have to do. But as I said, you have to play more matches on clay courts.”
Alcaraz is the second big name to exit the tournament following World No 1 Novak Djokovic who also lost his opener on Tuesday. Alcaraz committed 36 unforced errors in Wednesday’s defeat.
“It’s not easy to get your bearings on clay,” he added.
“It was a difficult match, but I feel mentally ready to play these types of matches, long and tight.
“I am ready to return to training and focus on the next tournaments.”
Korda – ranked 42 in the world and like Alcaraz competing at Monte Carlo for the first time – will play fellow American and Indian Wells champion Taylor Fritz in the next round.
“I’m very comfortable on clay. I grew up on green clay in Florida,” said Korda, 21, whose lone career title came on the surface in Parma last year.
“So I know how to play on clay, I move quite well, I feel good there.”
Next up is a last-16 clash with Fritz who defeated Marin Cilic 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.
Russia’s fifth seed Andrey Rublev, the runner-up in 2021, came back to defeat Alex de Minaur of Australia 2-6, 6-1, 6-4.
German Alexander Zverev, the second seed, saw off Federico Delbonis of Argentina, 6-1, 7-5.
Sixth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime was also lost on Wednesday, falling to 83rd-ranked Italian Lorenzo Musetti 6-2, 7-6(2).
“I live here and practice here,” said Musetti who made the last 16 at the French Open in 2021 where he lost to Djokovic from two sets up.
“My backhand down the line was a key to many of my great shots. After a really good first set, he came back with such powerful serving, but I was calm and patient and that was the most beautiful thing about today.”
British seventh seed Cameron Norrie was defeated by Spain’s Albert Ramos-Vinolas 6-4, 2-6, 6-4.
However, Jannik Sinner, the Italian ninth seed, eased past Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori 7-5, 6-3 and will face Rublev for a quarter-final place.
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