Alcaraz ends Vacherot's run to set up Monte Carlo showdown with rival Sinner

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/vacherot-valentin/rFqoSYd8/"]Vacherot[/a], who also enjoyed a breakthrough run at the Shanghai Masters ‌in October, knocked out [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/musetti-lorenzo/xtH2ODVI/"]Lorenzo Musetti[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/hurkacz-hubert/zuHOBnY9/"]Hubert Hurkacz[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/de-minaur-alex/EZgZ9Xfh/"]Alex de Minaur[/a] on his way to the ‌Monte Carlo semi-finals. The 27-year-old was the first Monegasque player to reach the ‌last four in the Principality.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/alcaraz-garfia-carlos/UkhgIFEq/"]Alcaraz[/a] struck first in the opening set, breaking serve to move 2-1 ‌ahead before sealing the set with an ace.[/p][p][b]Just as the seven-time Grand ‌Slam champion appeared to be cruising, Vacherot mounted a spirited fightback and edged ahead 4-3 in the second set. Alcaraz, however, proved too strong, winning three successive games [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/tennis/alcaraz-garfia-c-UkhgIFEq/vacherot-v-rFqoSYd8/?mid=tYmITb13"]to seal victory[/a].[/b][/p][embed guid="44bdfc4f-382e-48dd-8650-45385e8599c1" url="https://x.com/atptour/status/2042989364293066778" social-type="twitter" /][p]With the win, Alcaraz ‌became only the third player to reach 10 ATP ⁠1000 finals before the age of 23, ‌joining Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic since the format began in 1990.[/p][p]With the world number one ​ranking on the line, Alcaraz said he was excited about facing [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/sinner-jannik/6HdC3z4H/"]Sinner[/a] for the first time this year.[/p][p][b]"I think it's the dream spot for everyone,"[/b] ​Alcaraz said. "[b]I'm fighting for my second Monte Carlo title; Jannik's fighting for his first one. It's going to be a really special one. The world number one is ⁠on the line. That makes ​tomorrow even more special.[/b][/p][p][b]"I'm just really happy to win this really difficult match against Valentin. He's playing great tennis with a lot of confidence right now. Playing in his hometown, it was really tough to deal with.[/b][/p][p][b]"For me, I'm really excited about my first meeting ‌with Jannik this year, first final. Let's see how it's going to be tomorrow. I'm excited about it."[/b][/p]