While the most exciting encounters are usually reserved for Majors, regular best-of-three action can also provide thriller.
Per ATP, their most entertaining match of the season came in Monte Carlo between Carlos Alcaraz and Arthur Fils.
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 provided athleticism, firepower and incredible touch in their first Tour encounter.
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 grabbed five straight games to emerge at the top in style and remain on the title course. The Spaniard saved seven of 11 break points, dropping serve once after the opener.
Fils could not defend his second serve properly, playing against 14 break points and losing serve five times. Despite the excitement and turnarounds, it was a battle with nearly 100 unforced errors.
Alcaraz stood on an 18-41 ratio, although he raised his level when it mattered the most. The Frenchman delivered over 50 mistakes, spraying them from both wings and failing to bring the victory home.
Fils was of to a flying start, earning a double break and forging a 3-0 advantage. The favorite pulled one break back in the fourth game and missed more opportunities to lock the result at 3-3.
However, Carlos made another push on the return at 3-4 and provided a break to return to the positive side. Instead of building on that, 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 with a backhand down the line winner after 50 minutes.
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 remain in contention. The favorite gained a boost and provided a break in game 12 with a lob winner to steal the set and force a decider after an hour and 43 minutes.
Arthur kept fighting and grabbed a break in the third game before saving two break points in the next one for 3-1. With no room for errors, Carlos served well in the remaining games.
He pulled the break back in game six after the rival's backhand mistake. Fils played a loose forehand in the eighth game, losing serve again and falling 5-3 behind while smashing his racket.
Alcaraz served for the win in game nine and held at 15 after the opponent's mistake to seal the deal and advance into the last four.
