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Spanish tennis star Carlos Alcaraz mounted a comeback after dropping a set to defeat French youngster Arthur Fils in an exciting quarter-final at the Monte Carlo Masters on Friday.
The four-time Grand Slam titleholder, aiming for his first Masters title since his victory at Indian Wells last year, saved three break points during the crucial 11th game of the second set, leading to a thrilling 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 win. He will play unseeded compatriot Alejandro Davidovich Fokina on Saturday to get a chance to reach the final.
Alcaraz’s sole title this season remains the tournament in Rotterdam last February, but he seems to be relishing his return to clay courts.
The 20-year-old Fils, ranked 12th, has lost again in the quarter-finals at Masters events this season, following early exits at Indian Wells and the Miami Open.
With Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev eliminated early, Alcaraz is considered a strong contender for the title. He lost his only previous match at this event in 2022. He displayed all his competitive spirit to overcome Fils in what is likely the first of many encounters between the two.
Fils got off to an impressive start, winning the first three games of the match with two service breaks. Alcaraz fought back to equal the score at 4-4, celebrating after breaking his opponent’s serve to love.
However, he soon lost his serve again, allowing Fils to take the tense first set, where Alcaraz committed 17 unforced errors and saved two more break points.
An improved second set remained on serve until the 11th game, when Alcaraz committed a double fault and mishit a groundstroke, falling behind 0-40 and close to losing. Yet, the second seed showed resilience, executing a series of winners to save all three break points and lead 6-5.
Fils’s missed chances seemed to impact him as he relinquished his serve and the second set shortly after. The world number 15 responded quickly, breaking early in the final set and holding serve despite being down 15-40, to take a 3-1 lead.
Alcaraz rallied again, establishing a 5-3 advantage. Fils finally lost his composure after a pivotal break, smashing his racquet and receiving a code violation.
Alcaraz clinched a spot in the semi-finals by winning his fifth consecutive game when Fils hit a sliced backhand into the net.
