Monte-Carlo
\n Sinner launches twofold Monte-Carlo bid in striking fashion<\/p>\n
24-year-old is chasing No. 1 spot and first ATP Masters 1000 title on clay<\/p>\n
April 07, 2026<\/p>\n
Valery Hache\/AFP via Getty Images<\/p>\n
Jannik Sinner in action against Ugo Humbert on Tuesday at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters.
\n By Jerome Coombe<\/p>\n
Jannik Sinner<\/a> settled into his European clay-court swing in commanding fashion on Tuesday at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters<\/a>, where he launched his twofold bid in Monaco with authority.<\/p>\n Just nine days after becoming the first player to complete the \u2018Sunshine Double\u2019 without dropping a set, the 24-year-old carried that momentum onto clay with a confident 6-3, 6-0 victory over Ugo Humbert<\/a>. Alongside chasing his maiden ATP Masters 1000 clay title this week, Sinner is also in contention to reclaim the No. 1 spot in the PIF ATP Rankings from rival and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz<\/a>.<\/p>\n 18 successive Masters 1000 wins \ud83d\ude32@janniksin<\/a>‘s clay court season starts in style!@ROLEXMCMASTERS<\/a> | #RolexMonteCarloMasters<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/E89FEexyRh<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 ATP Tour (@atptour) April 7, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n “It was a good performance from my side,” Sinner said after improving to 2-1 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head series with Humbert. “You have to change your game style a little bit, how you approach certain situations… The first tournament [on clay] is never easy. I come here with good feelings but, at the same time, not many expectations.”<\/p>\n Humbert, who had impressed in his opening win over 17-year-old Moise Kouame<\/a>, started brightly and outmanoeuvred Sinner in a stylish all-court exchange in the opening game. Yet the Italian quickly found his groove, unleashing his trademark power and precision from all areas of the court.<\/p>\n Sinner surged through the opening set and was nearly untouchable in the second, conceding just six points to seal his place in the third round in Monte-Carlo for a fourth straight year. The World No. 2 has now won a record-extending 36 consecutive sets won at Masters 1000 level, following title runs in Paris last season and at Indian Wells and Miami last month.<\/p>\n A two-time semi-finalist in Monaco, Sinner will next face Francisco Cerundolo<\/a> or Tomas Machac<\/a> while he continues his pursuit of a first Masters 1000 crown on clay. With World No. 1 also in reach, the Italian is seeded to meet Alcaraz for the first time this season in the final.<\/p>\n You May Also Like: How Sinner can become World No. 1 in Monte-Carlo<\/a><\/p>\n Sinner and Humbert took to Court Rainier III ahead of schedule after Roberto Bautista Agut<\/a> was forced to retire injured while trailing Matteo Berrettini<\/a> 0-4 after just 23 minutes.<\/p>\n Berrettini, the former World No. 6 who has battled injuries in recent seasons, now faces a crucial second-round clash with seventh seed Daniil Medvedev<\/a>. If the Italian does not progress, he will drop outside the Top 100 for the first time since April 2024.<\/p>\n