Carlos Alcaraz and Arthur Fils embrace ATP match of the year

While the most exciting encounters are usually reserved for Majors, regular best-of-three action can also provide thrillers.

According to ATP, their most entertaining match of the season was in Monte Carlo between Carlos Alcaraz and Arthur Fils.

The match between Carlos Alcaraz and Arthur Fils in Monte-Carlo is declared the best match of the year on the ATP circuit! 🇫🇷⚔️🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/1XYpLbbVZb

— Monde Du Tennis (@mondedutennis) December 16, 2025

The two rivals fought in the quarter-final in the Principality, with the Spaniard prevailing 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 in two hours and 23 minutes. Two young guns brought athleticism, firepower and incredible touch in their first Tour meeting.

The Frenchman had a chance to topple the eventual champion. He claimed the opener and created three break points at 5-5 in the second set. Carlos kept his composure and saved them before earning a decisive break to force a decider.

Arthur led 3-1 in the final set before Carlos took five games in a row to come top in style and stay on the title course. The Spaniard saved seven of the eleven break points and dropped serve once after the opener.

Fils could not defend his second serve well, played against 14 break points and lost serve five times. Despite the excitement and turnaround, it was a battle with almost 100 unforced errors.

Alcaraz was at an 18-41 ratio, although he upped his game when it mattered most. The Frenchman made more than 50 mistakes, spraying them from both wings and failing to take home the win.

Fils got off to a flying start, earning a double break and forging a 3-0 lead. The favorite pulled one break back in the fourth game and missed more chances to secure the score at 3-3.

However, Carlos made another push on the return at 3-4 and created a break to get back on the positive side. Instead of building on it, the Spaniard experienced another break at 4-4.

Arthur served for the opener in game ten and denied two break points to claim the opener after 50 minutes with a backhand down the line.

The Frenchman missed a chance to build an early lead in the second set after squandering four break points in games one and five. Fils served well and made another push on the return at 5-5 that could have sent him over the top.

Alcaraz kept his composure and saved them to stay in the battle. The favorite was given a boost and secured a break in game 12 with a lob winner that stole the set and forced a decider after an hour and 43 minutes.

Arthur continued to fight and grabbed a break in the third game before saving break points in the next two for 3-1. With no room for error, Carlos served well in the remaining matches.

He pulled the break back in game six after the rival’s backhand error. Fils played a loose forehand in the eighth game, lost serve again and fell behind 5-3 while smashing his racket.

Alcaraz served for the win in game nine, holding on at 15 after the opponent’s mistake to seal the deal and advance to the final four.