Carlos Alcaraz delivered a gutsy performance to defeat Arthur Fils 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 in the quarter-finals of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters on Friday. In a dramatic encounter, the World No. 3 saved three break points at 5-5 in the second set and came back from 1-3 down in the third to claim victory after 2 hours and 23 minutes on Court Rainier III.
Alcaraz praised Fils’ aggressive play and acknowledged the pressure he was under but stayed mentally strong, capitalizing on key moments to turn the match around. The Spaniard used deep hitting and tactical drop shots to outlast the 20-year-old Frenchman, who was bidding for his first Masters 1000 semi-final.
This win marks Alcaraz’s 10th ATP Masters 1000 semi-final. If he wins the Monte-Carlo title, it will be his sixth Masters 1000 crown and would lift him to World No. 2, overtaking Alexander Zverev. Alcaraz now faces Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the semi-finals.
Meanwhile, Fils exits The Principality with his ranking rising to No. 13 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings after another strong tournament showing.
Did You Know?
Alcaraz has a 15-1 record on clay since May 2024 and is the reigning Roland Garros champion.
