Fils and Cobolli Set to Shine in Monte Carlo Masters Showdown

MONTE CARLO, Monaco—Arthur Fils and Flavio Cobolli, both rising stars in men’s tennis, are positioned to make significant impacts as they face off in the Rolex Monte Carlo Masters on Wednesday. The two athletes, who have previously shown prowess on clay, are eager to capitalize on their recent successes during this key clay-court event.

Fils, 20, enters this match riding high after a solid performance against Tallon Griekspoor, where he did not face a single break point during his 6-7 (3), 6-4, 6-2 victory. “I was a bit frustrated, but I was able to relax after that,” Fils said. “It’s good to have complicated matches at first so you can get into it.” This win sets up his matchup against Cobolli, who recently captured his first ATP title in Bucharest.

Cobolli, 22, expressed his excitement about competing in Monaco, fueled by robust Italian support in the stands. “I feel like I am at home, because there are many Italians supporting us. It’s crazy to play here,” said the world No. 36 after his recent win over Dusan Lajovic. Following his victory, Cobolli noted that he needed to maintain his momentum after a tournament win. “It’s always tough to play after a winning tournament. I practice a lot this week to continue this great moment,” he added.

Both players are on the cusp of breaking into the upper echelons of ATP rankings, with favorable opportunities to progress ahead of the year’s second major at Roland Garros. Fils’s resilience and Cobolli’s newfound confidence present a compelling clash of talents in the second round.

While Fils aims to improve upon his performance at last year’s Masters events—where he exited in the second round—Cobolli looks to build on his success after overcoming an 2-8 start to the 2025 season. Their previous encounter at the 2023 Next Gen ATP Finals saw Fils victorious, adding another layer of intrigue to this matchup.

With both players evolving in their respective careers, the outcome of this match could potentially set the trajectory for the rest of the clay court season. As Fils reflects on his style of play on this surface, he notes, “Often the bounce is high enough at the level of my shoulders, so I can hit hard.”

From Cobolli’s perspective, the adjustment in his playing style—”more aggressive, more powerful”—has been a key factor in his recent success. “It’s about letting what I do in practice shine through,” he said. This encounter, therefore, is not just a battle for advancement in Monaco, but a crucial moment for each player to demonstrate their readiness for top-level competition.