What's next for Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz after early Monte Carlo Masters loses and who will win the title?

Some things are better left to the imagination. The now-kiboshed Monte Carlo Masters quarter-final between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz is likely not one of those things. Ad/> The first potential career meeting between the current world No.

1 and the increasingly-probable future world No. 1 was the undoubted highlight of the Monte Carlo draw. TennisBecker urges Alcaraz to 'take a break' before French Open15 HOURS AGO All that needed to happen was for them both to win a few matches: Djokovic to get past Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and Dan Evans or David Goffin, Alcaraz to beat Sebastian Korda and Taylor Fritz or Marin Cilic.

Two wins each and then it was time to get the popcorn out and let the intergenerational battle commence. As well as the age gap and style clash, it was also the circumstances that made this such an appealing match-up: Djokovic as world no. 1 but severely undercooked due to a lack of match practice this season, Alcaraz coming in hot after an 18-2 start to the year and a first Masters title of his career at the Miami Open.

But it was the circumstances that ultimately scuppered The Match™, particularly in the case of Djokovic, whose rustiness proved his downfall against Davidovich Fokina. Becker urges Alcaraz to take a break before French Open Henin: Djokovic needs to recover from emotional rollercoaster Ruud: Rare talent Alcaraz has already earned a 'lot of respect' After an error-strewn start there were signs that Djokovic was finding his feet in the second set as he got into more rallies and found his range with winners. His pumped-up reaction after levelling the match showed that he was up for the fight, but his body did not comply.