Three years ago, I watched these two play another title match on clay, in Hamburg, and wondered if they were going to be the surface’s next great rivalry. That day Musetti prevailed in three close, entertaining sets, filled with daredevil corner-to-corner rallies. The blend of Alcaraz’s pace and Musetti’s spin, and a one-handed backhand going up against a two-hander, made for an especially varied baseline battle.
Since then, that rivalry obviously hasn’t come to fruition; another Italian, Jannik Sinner, is the one who has had the epic battles with Alcaraz. Musetti, meanwhile, has gone 0-3 against Alcaraz since 2022, and hasn’t won more than three games in any of the seven sets they’ve played.
Can we hope for anything better on Sunday?
Despite his customary lulls, Alcaraz is competing well right now. Clay also seems to have reinvigorated him and allowed him to use his X-factor shot, his drop, more often. At stake are his first title in Monte Carlo, and his first Masters 1000 win since Indian Wells 13 months ago. So he’ll be motivated. And he’ll be the favorite.
