Carlos Alcaraz's rival says 'I don't want a picture with him' before Monte-Carlo clash

booked a spot in his first Monte-Carlo Masters final on Saturday, 7-6(2) 6-4. But there was an unusual start to the match when Alcaraz's rival told the umpire he didn't "want a picture" with the world No. 3.

Players typically pose for a photo together at the end of the pre-match coin toss at the net. But Davidovich Fokina poked fun at his good friend, joking that he didn't want to take part in the routine - and Alcaraz had the perfect response.

Chair umpire Aurelie Tourte was going through the motions ahead of the first semi-final in Monte-Carlo, which saw Spaniards Alcaraz and Davidovich Fokina face off for the second time in their careers.

After informing them of the usual rules, the umpire said: "After the toss, there will be a picture on that side." As Tourte went to complete the coin toss, Davidovich Fokina interrupted.

"I don't want a picture with him," the world No. 42 smiled. "You don't want a picture with him?" Tourte repeated as she turned to Alcaraz, who had a hilarious comeback.

He replied: "It is what it is." The umpire jokingly reminded them that they didn't have a choice.

There was more laughter during the coin toss as the coin fell against the net and het to be thrown again. Davidovich Fokina won and chose to receive before taking his pre-match photo with Alcaraz as usual.

The Spaniards battled it out for more than two hours, with Alcaraz made to work to get the win. The four-time Major winner led 5-2 in the first set before Davidovich Fokina stormed back to force a tiebreak.

Half an hour after holding his first set point, Alcaraz finally took it in the breaker. And he needed six match points to get the job done, reaching his seventh Masters 1000 final.

After the match, the world No. 3 explained that he .

He said: "It's difficult, because the friendship we have off the court is really good. Playing against a friend or, yeah, having that battle against a friend, you know, for a final in a Masters 1000 sometimes can be tricky.

"But I just really happy to stay away from that friendship and just being a little bit selfish and thinking about myself.

"Just really happy that I was able to do it, but yeah, there are good things and bad things about playing against a friend who I know pretty good."

Alcaraz . But, after earning his second win over his compatriot, no one would blame the world No. 42 if he took back his offer.