Alcaraz Survives Fils Challenge, Tsitsipas Suffers Shocking Upset at Monte-Carlo Masters
MONACO (AP) — Carlos Alcaraz battled back from the brink of defeat, while defending champion Stefanos Tsitsipas was ousted in the quarterfinals of the monte-Carlo Masters on Friday.
Alcaraz Reaches Semifinals After Comeback Win
World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz clawed his way back from a set down against Arthur fils, surviving a five-point deficit in the second set and a 3-1 disadvantage in the decider. He eventually prevailed 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 in a two-and-a-half-hour marathon.
Fils, contesting his third consecutive Masters quarterfinal, pushed Alcaraz relentlessly, but ultimately succumbed to 53 unforced errors.
“I have missed the clay,” Alcaraz said after the match.
Alcaraz advances to his first Monte-Carlo semifinal, setting up an all-Spanish clash against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, the 2022 runner-up. The two have not met on tour in two years.
Davidovich Fokina defeated Alexei Popyrin in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2.
Reigning Champion Tsitsipas Stunned by Musetti
Stefanos tsitsipas, the Monte-Carlo champion in 2021, 2022 and 2024, struggled to explain his quarterfinal loss to lorenzo Musetti. Entering the match with a perfect 5-0 record against Musetti, Tsitsipas initially appeared in control, winning the first set 6-1.
Though,Tsitsipas’s serve faltered dramatically. He landed fewer than half of his first serves and onyl eight of 28 in the final set. A double fault put him down 4-3 in the decisive set. Musetti capitalized, winning the final two sets 6-3, 6-4.
“It’s challenging to accept,” Tsitsipas lamented. “I mean, feeling so confident playing on this court and not being able to win a match that I felt like I had all the reasons to… it’s definitely heartbreaking.”
Musetti Advances, de Minaur Reaches First Clay Semifinal in Years
Musetti was visibly emotional after securing the victory. He will face Alex de Minaur, who reached his first clay-court semifinal in three years after a dominant 6-0, 6-0 win over Grigor Dimitrov.
What specific aspect of Stefanos Tsitsipas’s game faltered, leading to his upset loss against Lorenzo Musetti?
Alcaraz Survives Fils Challenge, Tsitsipas Suffers Shocking Upset at Monte-Carlo Masters – Q&A
This article recaps the quarterfinal matches at the Monte-Carlo Masters.
Q&A:
Who is carlos Alcaraz and why is his win important?
Carlos Alcaraz is the world No. 3 tennis player. His win against Arthur Fils is significant because he overcame a challenging match, coming back from a set and a break down. This victory marks his first-ever semifinal appearance at the Monte-Carlo Masters.
What was the biggest challenge Alcaraz faced in his match?
Alcaraz was pushed to the brink by Arthur Fils, facing a five-point deficit in the second set and a 3-1 disadvantage in the deciding set. Fils’ relentless play and 53 unforced errors ultimately contributed to Alcaraz’s victory.
Who will Alcaraz face in the semifinal?
Alcaraz will face Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in an all-Spanish semifinal. They haven’t played each other in two years, adding an element of anticipation to thier upcoming match. fun fact: Davidovich Fokina was the runner-up in 2022 at Monte-Carlo.
What happened to Stefanos Tsitsipas?
Stefanos Tsitsipas, the defending champion, suffered a shocking upset, losing to Lorenzo Musetti. Despite winning the first set convincingly,Tsitsipas’s serve faltered,leading to his defeat. He had a previous perfect 5-0 record against Musetti.
Who else advanced to the semifinals?
Lorenzo Musetti will face Alex de Minaur in the other semifinal.De minaur had a dominant win over Grigor Dimitrov, reaching his first clay-court semifinal in three years.
What is the Monte-Carlo Masters and why is it significant?
The monte-Carlo Masters is a prestigious ATP Masters 1000 tournament held on clay courts. It’s one of the most important tournaments on the road to the French Open, attracting top players from around the world. Clay court play often favors players with high levels of fitness and resilience.
Catch the semifinals to see who will advance and compete for the monte-Carlo Masters title!
