Alex de Minaur bundled out of Monte-Carlo Masters as final suddenly rescheduled
Event organisers of the Monte-Carlo Masters have been forced to move the decider forward with wet weather foreseeing delays and a possible postponement.
A first-time champion is set to be crowned, with Carlos Alcaraz and Lorenzo Musetti progressing to the final on Sunday night (AEST).
Alcaraz needed six match points to put away Spanish compatriot Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 7-6 (2), 6-4 on Saturday to reach the final of the clay-court tournament.
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Rain has caused havoc at this year's edition of the Monte-Carlo Masters. Clive Brunskill via Getty Images
The third-ranked Alcaraz reached his 23rd tour-level final, where he will face Musetti of Italy as he bids for his first trophy in Monte Carlo.
Alcaraz was up a break in the first set, but Davidovic-Fokina saved three set points to force the tiebreaker.
“He saved a lot of breakpoints and match points,” Alcaraz said.
"The most important thing is that I’m feeling great physically.”
Musetti, the 13th seed, defeated Alex de Minaur 1-6, 6-4, 7-6 in their semi final.
The 23-year-old ousted defending champion Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarter-finals en route to his first Masters 1000 final.
Lorenzo Musetti is congratulated by Alex De Minaur after winning their semi-final match at the Monte-Carlo Masters. Clive Brunskill via Getty Images
Musetti is just the fourth Italian player to reach a Masters 1000 final since 1990 and the third to reach to final in Monte Carlo in the Open Era.
The final has been rescheduled three hours earlier than initially planned because heavy rain was forecast for the evening, threatening a washout.
In a proactive move, the doubles tie will now also take place after the singles match.
"Due to the weather forecast for Sunday, in consultation with ATP officials, the tournament organisers have decided to schedule the singles final at 12pm on Court Rainier III in order to give the best opportunity to successfully complete this incredible 2025 edition," a tournament statement read.
"The doubles final is now scheduled to start after the singles final."
It will be Alcaraz’s third consecutive clay-court final after winning the French Open and finishing with a silver medal at the Paris Olympics last year.
