Carlos Alcaraz advanced to the quarter-finals of the Monte-Carlo Masters for the first time on Thursday by beating Germany’s Daniel Altmaier decisively, 6-3, 6-1. The second seed needed only 78 minutes to complete victory and a last-eight clash with young French hopeful Arthur Fils.
Alcaraz, 21, took a few games to find his rhythm as Altmaier momentarily drew level at 3-3 in the opening set. But the Spanish star soon found his rhythm, rattling off three consecutive games to take the opener then easing through the second set in just over half an hour.
The defending champion at both the French Open and Wimbledon is the new title favourite in Monte Carlo, especially after top seed Alexander Zverev and world No.1 Novak Djokovic had both bowed out earlier. It is a big step up from Alcaraz’s only other appearance at the tournament in 2022, when he lost his first match.
Alcaraz next faces 20-year-old Arthur Fils, who maintained his fine form with a resounding 6-2, 6-3 victory over 2023 champion Andrey Rublev. Fils, in his third successive Masters last eight, is seeking to take another step and secure his first Masters semi-final.
