Quebecer Félix Auger-Aliassime will not face world third racket Carlos Alcaraz in the second round of the Monte-Carlo men’s tennis Masters since the Spaniard has withdrawn, the ATP circuit confirmed Tuesday morning.
Alcaraz withdrew from the tournament presented on Monegasque clay “due to persistent pain in his right arm”, it was specified on the official website of the competition.
For several days, “he had contented himself with light training on the side courts, displaying a large bandage on his right arm and only hitting, particularly on the forehand side, at very low intensity.”
Auger-Aliassime, who is at 35e world level, will instead face the Italian Lorenzo Sonego in the second round on Wednesday.
The last time the two tennis players faced each other, Sonego won 7-6 (4), 6-4 in the round of 16 of the Dubai tournament, on 1er March 2023. Auger-Aliassime nevertheless has a 2-1 career record against the Italian, 57e racket in the world.
On Monday, Auger-Aliassime defeated Italian Luca Nardi 6-2, 6-3 in the first round. It was the first duel between the two players in their careers on the ATP circuit.
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