Carlos Alcaraz cruised past Daniel Almeier 6-3 6-1 to cruise into the quarter final of the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters 1000 for the first time in his career. Alcaraz faced 10 break points.
Alcaraz set up a quarter final clash against French rising star Arthur Fils, who beats Andrey Rublev 6-2 6-3. Fils is aiming to reach a Masters 1000 semifinal for the first time in his career.
Alcaraz earned an early break, but Altmeier pulled the break back in the sixth game to draw level to 3-3.
Alcaraz reeled off three consecutive games to seal the first set 6-3. The set was highlighted by Alcaraz’s tweener lob in the second game.
Alcaraz saved three break points in the first game of the second set. The Spaniard broke twice in the fourth and sixth games and sealed the win on his second match point.
“Honestly it was difficult, Danny is playing great. He’s a solid clay-court player with a difficult game: a lot of topspin shots and he’s really good physically. The score doesn’t show how difficult it was… I had to battle in the first set. It was good to get a break before the new balls, which helped with the serve. In the second set, I could be myself more, play more aggressively than in the first, and I took my chances”, said Alcaraz.
