Carlos Alcaraz beats Arthur Fils in Monte Carlo Masters thriller

Alcaraz rallies from a set down to overcome Fils and reach Monte Carlo semi-finals.

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain serves to Arthur Fils of France during their quarter-final match at the Monte Carlo ATP Masters Series tournament at Monte Carlo Country Club in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin on April 11, 2025. Photo by Valery Hache/AFP

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

In a dramatic showdown on the clay courts of Monaco, Carlos Alcaraz beats Arthur Fils in Monte Carlo Masters to book his spot in the semi-finals of one of the ATP tour’s most prestigious events. The young Spanish sensation had to dig deep, rallying from a set down to defeat France’s Arthur Fils in a gripping quarter-final encounter on Friday.

The 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 scoreline doesn’t fully capture the intensity of the match, which lasted just under three hours and showcased the resilience, flair, and raw athleticism of two of tennis’s brightest young stars. For Alcaraz, a four-time Grand Slam champion, the victory was more than just another win—it was a statement that he remains a top contender on clay, even after a relatively quiet start to the 2025 season.

Alcaraz’s last Masters 1000 title came over a year ago at Indian Wells, and he has been chasing another since. His only title this season was in Rotterdam, an indoor hard court event, making this performance in Monte Carlo a crucial confidence booster as the European clay season heats up.

The match began with 20-year-old Arthur Fils setting the tone. The Frenchman, seeded 12th, came out swinging with power from the baseline and confidence that belied his years. He took the first set 6-4, breaking Alcaraz’s serve early and holding firm through tense service games. The crowd, already buzzing with anticipation, could sense an upset brewing.

But Alcaraz, known for his mental toughness and on-court creativity, refused to panic. “I think his level is high right now and he puts a lot of pressure on his opponents,” Alcaraz said afterward. “Today I could feel it, but in some moments he just made a few mistakes and I tried to make the most of those points and wait for my chances.”

Those chances came in the second set, particularly in the eleventh game. With Fils up 5-5 and threatening to break, Alcaraz fended off three break points in what would become the pivotal moment of the match. He then broke Fils in the next game to take the set 7-5, leveling the match and shifting momentum decisively in his favor.

By the third set, Alcaraz was in full flight. His footwork sharpened, his forehand found its lethal rhythm, and his variety began to trouble Fils, who was playing in his third Masters quarter-final of the season but still seeking his first semi-final appearance. Alcaraz broke early and held on to close out the final set 6-3, to the roar of a packed Monte Carlo crowd.

The win means Alcaraz will now face compatriot Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, an unseeded but dangerous player who has previously made a final in Monte Carlo, for a spot in the championship match. It’s a battle of Spanish firepower, and one that promises another exciting chapter in this year’s clay court narrative.

For Fils, the loss marked another painful but promising step in his rapid rise. Quarter-final finishes in Indian Wells, Miami, and now Monte Carlo show the Frenchman is not far from making a breakthrough. His game—built around a heavy serve and aggressive groundstrokes—is perfectly suited for both hard and clay courts, and he will be a name to watch for the rest of the season.

Alcaraz, meanwhile, is steadily gathering momentum. His early season struggles seem to be behind him, and Monte Carlo could mark the turning point. “I love playing here,” he said after the match. “The conditions, the fans, the energy—it gives me a lot of motivation. I want to win this title.”

The Monte Carlo Masters has long been a stage for clay court kings, from Rafael Nadal’s record-setting dominance to Novak Djokovic’s moments of brilliance. Alcaraz, still just 20, is hoping to join that lineage with a title of his own. He’s already shown the ability to win the biggest trophies, but a Masters win on clay would further cement his status as heir apparent in the post-Big Three era.

With Roland Garros just weeks away, every match now carries added significance. Alcaraz knows that his road to Paris goes through tough opponents and tricky conditions, but performances like today’s suggest he’s on the right track. He’s blending patience with power, tactical awareness with instinctive shot-making—and above all, the will to win.

As the tournament heads into its final days, all eyes will be on Alcaraz to see if he can take the next step. For now, one thing is certain: Carlos Alcaraz beats Arthur Fils in Monte Carlo Masters was more than a quarter-final clash—it was a reminder of why tennis fans around the world are watching him with such anticipation.

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