ATP
Carlos ignores slow start to notch Monte Carlo semis
Carlos Alcaraz used his drop shots with efficiency to stave off a French challenge with a 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 defeat of Arthur Fils on Friday for a place in the Monte Carlo Masters semi-finals.
The second seed who had never won a match here prior to this edition will aim for the final on a rain-threatened Sunday against fellow Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, who dismissed Australian Alexei Popyrin -6-3, 6-2.
Alcaraz got away poorly for a third consecutive match at the Country Club but quickly made up for his errors with a comeback over nearly two and a half hours on the clay.
The 21-year-old and his 20 year old opponent were playing the youngest quarter-final here since Novak Djokovic beat Sam Querrey in a 2008 battle of 20-year-olds.
Alcaraz began turning the tables after dropping the opening set against ADF, runner-up here in 2022 against Stefanos Tsitsipas.
The seed levelled with a winning second set and fought form a break down in the third to come through into the final four.
Despite only 18 winners and breaks on five of 14 chances, Alcaraz was pleased with his showing – and with his near-perfect run of droppers.
“On clay it’s easy to play. I feel confident using it,” he said. “I know I won almost every one I hit. That gave me more confidence to keep on doing it.”
Alcaraz said he approached his comeback calmly. “I tried to stay strong and wait for some errors. He started well and there were mistakes from my side.
“Fils puts a lot of pressure on opponents. I waited for my chances and tried to take them.
“In the third set I tried to play a good tennis. When I was down I tried to keep going, play aggressive and stay strong mentally and physically.”
Alcaraz won his only previous match against ADF, in Barcelona two years ago on clay.
Carlos Alcaraz booked his third straight final at the Barcelona Open on a windy Saturday, repeating his win from last week over Arthur Fils.
The Spanish top seed advanced 6-2, 6-4 into Sunday’s title match, where he takes on Holger Rune for the first time on clay.
Rune, a 6-3, 6-2 winner over Karen Khachanov, stands 1-2 against Alcraz on the Tour, with the pair meeting 20 times (10-10) in juniors.
In Monte Carlo eight days ago, Alcaraz needed to come from a set down to beat Fils on his way to the title.
The Barcelona meeting was less dramatic for the local world No. 2, owns titles here from 2022 and 2023 (he was injured and did not play in 2024). He has now won his last 14 Barcelona matches.
Alcaraz was helped in the first set as Fils twice lost serve on double-faults, The French challenger lifted in the second set but was still unable to break through.
He drew a code violation for ball abuse after losing ser to trail 2-1 but saved two match points before Alcaraz clinched victory in 76 minutes.
Alcaraz won his ninth straight clay match, with Fils striking a massive 38 unforced errors.
“I’m just glad it was sunny, even if the wind was really tough to deal with,” Alcaraz said. “He was playing fantastic tennis,
“I had to do what I had to do – and I did it pretty well. I focused on my game and hitting the right shot. I’m happy I was able to do that.
“To be in this final again means a lot. I used to watch the Barcelona finals on TV as a little kid. Let’s see if I can end with the trophy tomorrow in front of my people.”
Holger Rune will return to the ATP live ranking top 10 after a near-flawless 6-3, 6-2 display against Karen Khachanov on Saturday which sends the Dane into the final of the Barcelona Open.
Rune needed just 67 minutes to completely dominate in the semi-final on a court named in honour of Rafael Nadal, holding his opponent to just five winners for the match – and only one in the second set.
The No. 13 Scandinavian, by contrast, produced 21 winners and profitted from superb drop shots to ensure the win.
Khachanov was leading 3-2 in the opening set when Rune erupted.
“I was playing very good from the back of the court and mixing up the pace,” the winner said. I played most of the match the right way.
“I was aggressive and hitting through my shots. Rising in the ranking is a motivation, but I was treating this like a training week, trying to get better every day.
“Now it’s becoming more than a training week and I’m happy to be in another final (after Indian Wells in March. I’m happy with how I handled things today.”
Rune will play top seed Carlos Alcaraz in Sunday’s final.
Main photo:- Holger Rune winning in Barcelona – by ATPTour.com
Arthur Fils spent just 20 minutes on court before advancing to the semi-finals in Barcelona on Friday as opponent Stefanos Tsitsipas quit their quarter-final with apparent illness.
The rising Frenchman collected a 2-0 win as the four-time runner-up walked to the net midway through the third game, unable to continue.
Fills will take on two-time champion Carlos Alcaraz for a place in the title match.
The pair played only last week in Monte Carlos, with Alcaraz posting a comeback quarter-final win.
“I think Stef has a bug, but I’m not sure,” Fils said. “I was ready to battle for a few hours, we always have tough matches.
“I hope he will be ready for the next weeks and Roland Garros.”
The No. 14 said he is pleased with the state of his own game: “I’m playing great, the match in Monte Carlo against Carlitos was positive even if I lost.”
Main photo; Arthus Fils in action -by ISF Ltd
Alcaraz masters tough conditions for third Barca final
Rune puts on masterclass to crush Khachanov
Tsitsipas quits Barca match with illness
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