Alcaraz battles Past Fils to reach Monte Carlo Masters semi-finals
PARIS: Carlos Alcaraz dug deep to overcome Frenchman Arthur Fils 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 and book his place in the Monte Carlo Masters semi-finals on Friday. The world number three was pushed to the limit by the local favourite, but ultimately made the most of key errors from the young Frenchman to advance.
Fils came out firing, breaking Alcaraz twice to race to a 3-0 lead in the opening set. Despite a spirited fightback from the Spaniard, Fils edged a dramatic first set, capitalising on his momentum and saving multiple break points.
But the tide began to turn in the second set. Fils squandered seven break opportunities, allowing Alcaraz to stay in the contest. The four-time Grand Slam champion seized his moment late in the set, clinching it with a brilliant lob to force a decider.
Alcaraz kept his composure in the third, breaking Fils to take control and closing out the match with typical intensity. He will now face fellow Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, who dispatched Alexei Popyrin in straight sets.
Meanwhile, Lorenzo Musetti stunned defending champion Stefanos Tsitsipas 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 after the Greek struggled with his serve. Musetti will meet Australia’s Alex de Minaur, who demolished Grigor Dimitrov 6-0, 6-0 in just 44 minutes, capitalising on the Bulgarian’s 23 unforced errors.
