"Alcaraz Stages Comeback to Reach Monte-Carlo Semis; Fils' Frustration Peaks

Carlos Alcaraz demonstrated his remarkable determination and resilience to engineer a stunning comeback win over France's up-and-coming star, Arthur Fils, in the quarter-finals of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters on Friday.

In a compelling struggle of power, precision, and strategic brilliance on the legendary Court Rainier III, Alcaraz resisted a ceaseless barrage of heavy hitting to claim a 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 victory to book himself a semi-final berth.

The World No. 3, seeking his maiden title in Monaco, was stretched to the limit by the aggressive Fils, who adopted the bold strategy from the early stages of the match. The 20-year-old Frenchman employed his great footwork and big forehand to dictate the pace of the match in the early stages, taking the first set and putting Alcaraz on the back foot. At 5-5, 0/40 during the second set, the tension was stark.

But Alcaraz remained steadfast, holding off each of Fils' three break points through sheer resolve and calculated intelligence. His moment arrived on the next game, breaking Fils to put the match into a tie game, with set point delivered on a breathtakingly placed lob which sent the stadium on its collective feet and the helpless Fils into the far net.

In the third set, I just attempted to play good tennis, remain aggressive, and be strong physically and mentally," Alcaraz had said following his triumph. "It's about waiting for your opportunities. Fils is playing at a really high level, and it took everything to pass through.

Even after crumbling early in the conclusive third set, Fils' fight gradually disappeared as Alcaraz's depth and accuracy gained the upper hand. By going for the Frenchman's backhand and employing his trademark drop shots, the Spaniard claimed five consecutive games to seal an unforgettable victory within two hours and 23 minutes.

This was certainly Alcaraz's greatest test of the tournament, after already having sailed past Francisco Cerundolo and Daniel Altmaier. Having now guaranteed himself his 10th ATP Masters 1000 semi-final, Alcaraz will next compete against fellow Spanish player Alejandro Davidovich Fokina for the opportunity to get to the final. A Monte-Carlo title would see Alcaraz break into World No. 2 in the ATP Rankings, overhauling Alexander Zverev.

This is Alcaraz's second time here at Monte-Carlo, having lost in his first outing in 2022. Following a disappointing early loss in Miami last month, Alcaraz seems to be getting back into his top form on clay—a surface where he is most comfortable. "I have missed clay," Alcaraz exclaimed with a smile. "The drop shot, the movement—it's good to be back and feeling confident again."

For Arthur Fils, it was another solid outing in what has been a breakout season. Having already recorded impressive runs to the quarter-finals of Indian Wells and Miami, the young Frenchman was targeting his first Masters 1000 semi-final but came short, undone by pivotal mistakes at key moments.