Sebastian Korda played with poise edging Carlos Alcaraz in a dramatic three-hour Monte-Carlo marathon match.
The 18-year-old Alcaraz showed perspective in defeat accepting it as part of the growth process. The Miami Open champion said defeat is not death.
More: Korda Conquers Alcaraz
"You have to live the loses as good as you can," Alcaraz told the media in Monte-Carlo. "I mean, it's a lose; it's not a die, you know.
"Next week you have another chances to get better, and, I mean, just there are just questions hurting you, you know. I mean, it's part of your work."
Alcaraz defeated Casper Ruud to become the youngest Miami Open champion in history earlier this month.
Transitioning from the Miami hard court to Monte-Carlo's red clay on a gusty day proved challenging for the Rio champion, who has posted an 18-3 record this season.
"I had a week before Monte-Carlo to realize what I did in Miami, and trying hard to get used to play on clay court and trying to be as match-ready as I can to play here in Monte-Carlo," Alcaraz said. "Yeah, just a couple of off days before training on clay and came here to Monte-Carlo.
"Well, I could train just three or four days in clay court I think is not too much day to be in a transition to go hard court to clay court, but, well, I think I played a good match on the first match on clay court, but yeah, as I said, I have to be more ready on clay."
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