Jannik Sinner & Carlos Alcaraz's Monte-Carlo draw: Which intriguing opponents could they face in R2?

Monte-Carlo

Sinner & Alcaraz's Monte-Carlo draw: Which intriguing opponents could they face in R2?

ATP Masters 1000 event runs from 5-12 April

Getty Images

Jannik Sinner arrives in Monte-Carlo having won titles in Indian Wells and Miami in March. By Sam Jacot

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz could be set for intriguing opening matches at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, following Friday’s draw.

Sinner arrives in the Principality having become the eighth man to win the ‘Sunshine Double’, lifting trophies in Indian Wells and Miami. Chasing a seventh Masters 1000 crown and first on clay, the Italian could play French wild card Moise Kouame in his opening match.

The 17-year-old Kouame, who earned a main draw victory on his ATP Masters 1000 debut in Miami last month, is making his debut in Monte-Carlo. He will meet countryman Ugo Humbert in the first round.

Alcaraz is the defending champion in Monte-Carlo and could play wild card Stan Wawrinka, who is set to compete at the event for the final time. The Swiss star lifted the trophy in Monte-Carlo in 2014 and will play Sebastian Baez in the first round. If Wawrinka advances, the 41-year-old will set a first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting with Alcaraz.

Alcaraz is seeded to face Frances Tiafoe in the third round and Miami finalist Jiri Lehecka or eighth seed Alexander Bublik in the quarter-finals. Fourth seed Lorenzo Musetti is a potential semi-final opponent in what would be a repeat of the 2025 final. Musetti begins against Monegasque star Valentin Vacherot or Kamil Majchrzak.

Sinner could face three-time champion Stefanos Tsitsipas or Argentine Francisco Cerundolo in the third round. Felix Auger-Aliassime or Casper Ruud are potential quarter-final opponents for the Italian.

Sinner could pass World No. 1 Alcaraz and reclaim top spot in the PIF ATP Rankings in Monte-Carlo, but he has to reach at least the semi-finals to have a chance. The Italian will guarantee his return to No. 1 if he lifts the trophy in the Principality for the first time.

You May Also Like: 2026 Monte-Carlo tennis prize money

Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev are also in Sinner’s half. Third seed Zverev plays Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard or a qualifier in his opener, while Medvedev takes on Matteo Berrettini or a qualifier. Zverev and Medvedev could renew their long-running rivalry in the quarter-finals.

Click here to read article