TIE-BREAKFAST - 07/04 Monte Carlo

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Ace Cream's daily newsletter during Masters 1000 and Grand Slams, every morning at 8:30.

Today is Tuesday, April 7, in Monte Carlo it's 08:30 and 12 degrees. Ok, let's go.

On the menu today

• 🇬🇷 Tsitsipas knocked out in opener by Cerundolo
• 🇨🇭 Wawrinka's farewell against Baez
• 🇷🇺 Rublev struggles but advances, Khachanov doesn't
• 🇮🇹 Sinner debuts against Humbert, world No. 1 spot also on the line
• 🇪🇸 Alcaraz begins title defense against Baez

WHAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY:

🇬🇷 Tsitsipas Out In The Opener Against Cerundolo

Stefanos Tsitsipas exited in the first round of Monte-Carlo 2026, beaten by Francisco Cerundolo 7-5 6-4. For the Greek, a three-time champion here (2021, 2022, 2024), it's his first opening-round loss in the Principality in eight appearances, after seven consecutive debut wins.

Something doesn't add up in the relationship between Tsitsipas and this tournament, and it's not just about a bad day. The feeling, looking at this season's numbers and the way he handled the key moments of the match, is that clay is no longer the safe harbor he was used to returning to. Cerundolo played a clean match, without any dips, and that was enough.

🇨🇭 Wawrinka's Last Farewell

Sebastian Baez beat Stan Wawrinka 7-5 7-5 in what, in all likelihood, was the Swiss player's last appearance in Monte Carlo. It was here that Wawrinka won his only Masters 1000 title, back in 2014, and the Principality crowd said goodbye as you would to family.

More than the scoreline, what always lingers from matches like this is everything around it: the prolonged applause, the difficulty of closing certain chapters, the awareness that certain technical gestures, even when they no longer produce wins, remain a small luxury to watch. Baez did his job, but yesterday the court belonged to someone else.

🇷🇺 Rublev Through In Three, Khachanov Out

Andrey Rublev got past Nuno Borges 6-4 1-6 6-1, in an up-and-down match as often happens when he only finds confidence with his racket in spurts. Same day, opposite outcome for Karen Khachanov, eliminated by Arthur Rinderknech 7-5 6-2.

The opening days of Monte Carlo often paint this picture: whoever shows up with any doubts in their serve or footwork pays an immediate price that elsewhere they might be able to defer. For Rublev, it remains to be seen whether the mid-match lull is an accident or a symptom, but for now he's into the second round.

🇮🇹 Cobolli And Fonseca Through, Arnaldi Out

Among the other results, Flavio Cobolli got past qualifier Comesana 7-5 2-6 6-3, while Joao Fonseca beat Diallo 6-2 6-3, confirming the impression of those who've been following him since the start of the year. No luck for Matteo Arnaldi, a lucky loser, stopped by Cristian Garin 6-2 6-4.

For Cobolli it's the kind of win that's more useful than brilliant, pulled out by finding something extra in the third set when the match was threatening to slip away. Fonseca, for his part, is putting together a European clay debut worth following without yet turning it into a story.

WHAT'S HAPPENING TODAY:

• Berrettini-Bautista Agut (11:00 am) - Opens the schedule on Court Rainier III. For Matteo it's the first Masters 1000 on clay of 2026, against an opponent who has always known how to make life difficult for anyone on the red dirt.
• Sinner-Humbert (to follow, ~13:00) - Jannik's season debut after the Indian Wells-Miami double without dropping a set. Humbert is a lefty with weapons that can do damage, but clay remains his least favorable surface. Just around the corner, there's also a return to No. 1 on the line.
• Alcaraz-Baez (to follow, ~15:00) - Carlos begins his title defense. Baez is a clay-courter used to long rallies, but in their three previous meetings he's never won a set. It remains to be seen at what pace the latest world No. 1 will open his clay season.
• Monfils-Bublik - Evening close on Rainier III, in the night of unpredictable shots. On paper, a clash between two players who struggle to stay at the heart of an orderly match, and precisely for that reason hard to predict.

Read more

• Tuesday, April 7th Monte Carlo Masters 1000 Schedule: Debuts of Alcaraz and Sinner
• When will Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner play their first match in Monte-Carlo?
• Monte Carlo Masters 2026 Day Two Recap
• Tennis Monte-Carlo Masters 2026: All results and scores
• Can Jannik Sinner overtake Carlos Alcaraz and become world No. 1

Enjoy your breakfast and have a great day.

See you tomorrow at 08:30 with TIE-Breakfast.