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Alcaraz downs Vacherot to set up Sinner showdown in Monte-Carlo final

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Clock Icon5 HoursTennis

Carlos Alcaraz defeated Valentin Vacherot in straight sets to reach the Monte-Carlo Masters final, where he will meet rival Jannik Sinner.

The world number one won 6-4 6-4 in an hour and 25 minutes as he scored a routine victory over home favourite Vacherot.

After both players made comfortable starts on serve, Alcaraz converted what proved to be the only break point in the first set to go 2-1 up.

Alcaraz won 87% of his service points in the first while Vacherot won 70% of such points in a tight set.

The pair then exchanged breaks early in the second set, but Alcaraz made the crucial breakthrough in the ninth game to give himself the opportunity to serve for the match.

And the Spaniard clinched victory with his first match point as Vacherot was unable to return a drop shot from Alcaraz.

Data Debrief: Alcaraz and Sinner battle for world number one

Alcaraz is the third player to reach 10 finals in ATP Masters 1000 events before turning 23, after Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, since the format's introduction in 1990.

His final with Sinner on Sunday will be their first Tour meeting this season, and there is more on the line than just the Monte-Carlo title.

Sinner and Alcaraz have both spent the same time at the world number one spot (66 weeks) – the winner of the Monte-Carlo final will hold the world number one status next week.