Alcaraz and Baez to Face Off in Monte-Carlo Second Round

World No. 1 Alcaraz takes on rising star Baez in highly anticipated clay court clash.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 12:53am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting the dynamic energy and movement of a tennis match, with overlapping planes of color and form representing the two players in action.The dynamic clash between rising star Baez and world No. 1 Alcaraz promises an intense battle on the clay courts of Monte-Carlo.Today in Miami

Carlos Alcaraz, the world's top-ranked men's tennis player, will face off against Sebastian Baez in the second round of the prestigious Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters tournament on Thursday. The match is scheduled for 3:00 pm local time on Court Rainier III.

Why it matters

This second-round matchup between Alcaraz and Baez is an exciting clash between two of the top young talents in men's tennis. Alcaraz, the reigning Australian Open champion, will look to continue his dominant start to the 2026 season, while Baez aims to pull off the upset and advance further in the Monte-Carlo tournament.

The details

Alcaraz and Baez have faced each other three times previously, with Alcaraz winning all three matches. Their most recent encounter was in the 2025 Tokyo tournament, where Alcaraz won 6-4, 6-2. Baez is currently ranked No. 65 in the world and is coming off a straight-sets win over Stan Wawrinka in the first round of the Monte-Carlo event.

  • The match is scheduled for Thursday, April 10, 2026 at 3:00 pm local time in Monte-Carlo.

The players

Carlos Alcaraz

The world No. 1 ranked player, Alcaraz has won two titles so far in 2026, including the Australian Open. He is looking to continue his dominant start to the season.

Sebastian Baez

Currently ranked No. 65 in the world, Baez has won seven career titles, including one on hard courts and six on clay courts. He reached the final of the ASB Classic earlier this year.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This is a great opportunity for me to test myself against the best player in the world right now. I'm looking forward to the challenge and giving it my all on the court.”

— Sebastian Baez, ATP Player

What’s next

The winner of the Alcaraz-Baez match will advance to the third round of the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters, where they will face the winner of the match between Tomas Machac and the player who emerges victorious from their second-round encounter.

The takeaway

This highly anticipated second-round clash between rising star Baez and world No. 1 Alcaraz promises an intense battle on the clay courts of Monte-Carlo, as both players look to make a deep run in the prestigious tournament.