Carlos Alcaraz shares his mindset while being down in the second and third sets against Arthur Fils in Monte Carlo Rolex Masters
Carlos Alcaraz made the most of Arthur Fils' errors in the key moments to set up a Monte Carlo Masters semifinal against compatriot Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
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Carlos Alcaraz and Arthur Fils (via ATP)
After a hard-fought victory, Carlos Alcaraz is now in the semifinals of the 2025 Monte Carlo Masters. Alcaraz defeated Francisco Cerundolo and Daniel Altmaier in his first two matches. However, the World No. 3 survived his greatest test yet at the quarterfinals against Arthur Fils in the pair’s first on-court meeting, where he came from a set down to defeat the Frenchman.
Alcaraz is making just his second appearance in Monte Carlo, having lost in his only previous match in 2022 to Sebastian Korda. The 21-year-old suffered a shocking opening-round defeat to David Goffin at the Miami Open and has been slowly rediscovering his best level in The Principality.
I was just wanted to stay strong… Waited for my chances. I felt in the first set he played well. Probably a few mistakes from my side. His level is pretty high right now. He puts a lot of pressure on his opponents. I could feel it. I think in some moments he made a few mistakes, and I tried to make the most of it. Just tried to wait for my chances and tried to take it.
Carlos Alcaraz said at post-match interview
Alcaraz is into his 10th ATP Masters 1000 semifinal and his third semifinal of the season. He is bidding for his sixth title at the Masters 1000 level. If the Spaniard claims his maiden crown at the Monte Carlo Masters, he will overtake Alexander Zverev for World No. 2. If Alcaraz does not triumph in Monte Carlo, he will remain World No. 3.
Carlos Alcaraz refused to surrender against Arthur Fils
In a dramatic clash on Court Rainier III, Carlos Alcaraz was at the brink of defeat on several occasions but refused to surrender in a match of high-quality shot-making. Arthur Fils made a brilliant start against Alcaraz, surging to a 3-0 lead with two early breaks in the opening set.
Alcaraz fought back to reclaim one break and had four chances to level in the fourth game, but Fils held firm. Alcaraz eventually drew level at 4-4, only for Fils to break once more and then hold serve to take the set as he saved two break points.
In the 2nd set I saved break points at 5-5. In the third set I tried to stay there, playing good tennis. When I was a break down I tried to keep going… playing aggressively. Be strong mentally, physically, and waiting for my chances.
Carlos Alcaraz added
Alcaraz displayed better form in the subsequent sets, attacking Fils’ backhand with more regularity. The Spaniard crucially saved three break points at 5-5, 0/40 in the second set before producing a stunning lob in the following game on set point to level the match. In the decider, Alcaraz rallied from 1-3 to earn a 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 quarterfinal victory.
Carlos Alcaraz will face compatriot Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the semifinals
In the semifinals, Alcaraz will face compatriot Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. It will be a battle between the No. 1 and No. 2 Spanish male tennis players. This will mark their second meeting on court and second on clay as well. Alcaraz defeated Fokina in their first meeting, which took place in the quarterfinals of the 2023 Barcelona Open. Alcaraz later went on to clinch that title.
Fokina has also had a spectacular run so far in the tournament. He has defeated several higher-ranked players like Jack Draper and Ben Shelton on his way to his third Masters 1000 semifinal. Fokina was a finalist at the 2025 Monte Carlo Masters, where he lost to Stefanos Tsitsipas.
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