Monte Carlo matchup: Arthur Fils, Flavio Cobolli both in line to make bigger splashes this spring

MONTE CARLO—The Monte Carlo Country Club, which hosts the first of three Masters 1000 clay-court events, is nestled in the French commune of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin just off the Monaco border.

But as Arthur Fils jokes, another nation is equally as present at the illustrious tournament given its favorable proximity.

“I played against (an) Italian last year, I'm going to play against (an) Italian this year, we are playing in Italy,” the 20-year-old said with a smile Tuesday after overcoming Tallon Griekspoor.

Fils, holder of two ATP trophies on clay, returns to action Wednesday to face Flavio Cobolli. Two years older than his peer, Cobolli put a 2-8 season start behind him by capturing his maiden ATP title in Bucharest Sunday to kick off his swing on red dirt.

The Florence native concurred with Fils about the support sent his way at this week's tour stop during an interview with Tennis Channel’s Prakash Amritraj. The timing was on point, as countryman Matteo Berrettini was lifted by a boisterous crowd on Court Rainier III during his comeback win over top seed Alexander Zverev while Cobolli and Amritraj chatted.

“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 following his 6-4, 6-2 dismissal of 2019 runner-up Dusan Lajovic. “It’s always tough to play after a winning tournament. It’s also my first time, my first match after I win a tournament. I practice a lot this week to continue this great moment.

“It’s a pleasure for us to play here, to have the crowd on our part. It’s something special.”

I played against (an) Italian last year, I'm going to play against (an) Italian this year, we are playing in Italy. Arthur Fils

Both Cobolli and Fils have an opportunity to make an impact this spring, with favoable possibilities to move up the rankings going into the year’s second major at Roland Garros. The French No. 1 exited in the second round at all three 1000-level events last year, though did win the ATP Challenger Tour 175 event in Bordeaux. Cobolli fell in the first round of Monte Carlo qualifying and went a combined 3-2 at Madrid and Rome prior to his Geneva semifinal showing.

Against Griekspoor, mental fortitude was the difference maker for Fils. After seeing all eight break points go to waste and missing four set points ahead of a disappointing tie-break, he seized control for a 6-7 (3), 6-4, 6-2 victory.

“I was a bit frustrated, but I was able to relax after that and start off the second set better,” Fils said in a translation to national press.

“After losing the first, I thought, ‘well, this is clay, I have to be ready to play three hours.’ I didn't play three hours, but almost. It's good to have complicated matches at first so you can get into it.”

Cobolli has strung together nine consecutive sets in his favor, beginning with a deciding victory over Richard Gasquet one week ago today. On what initially unlocked this winning stretch, Cobolli attributed it to changing “something on my game, more aggressive, more powerful” before letting “what I do in practice” shine through his remaining matches.

A proactive approach may be required again, given how Fils sees himself on the surface.

“Often the bounce is high enough at the level of my shoulders, so I can hit hard. I was able to find my pace on the backhand, too. I think for aggressive players clay is good,” he commented.

The two have never clashed in a traditional tour-level meeting, with Fils clinching a victory at the 2023 Next Gen ATP Finals.