Carlos Alcaraz is on the brink of a title hat-trick at the Barcelona Open this week. After winning the event in 2022 and 2023, the World No.2 took one step closer, on Friday, to reach the summit clash of the clay court tournament and accomplish his three-peat. In the QF, he ousted Aussie Alex de Minaur in straight sets, winning his eighth consecutive match since the triumphant Monte Carlo campaign last week. He’s only the sixth player to do so in 2025. However, the work’s only half done. The Spaniard will now enter the SF on Saturday to take on a formidable opponent in Frenchman Arthur Fils. So who’s going to make it to the Barcelona final?

Carlos Alcaraz vs Arthur Fils: Preview

Carlos Alcaraz started the season with a promising performance at the Australian Open back in January. He reached the QF stage before losing out to 24-time slam king Novak Djokovic. He then continued this form in the next event and won his maiden indoor hard court title at the ATP Rotterdam. He defeated Alex de Minaur in the final, 6-4, 3-6. 6-2. Then, in Doha, he managed to enter the QF stage before losing out to Jiri Lehecka.

Just when it looked he would pull off a three-peat in Indian Wells, having won the event in 2023 and 2024, Alcaraz faced a shocking defeat. His campaign came to an end after the loss in SF against eventual winner, Jack Draper. In the second event of the Sunshine Double (Miami), the Spaniard couldn’t even go past the opening round. Belgium’s David Goffin ousted him, 5-7, 6-4, 6-3.

However, the four-time slam champion made a remarkable return to form last week, winning his maiden Monte Carlo Masters trophy. In the final, he dominated Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti, 3-6, 6-1, 6-0. And now in Barcelona, he’s been invincible. Alcaraz began his campaign with a straight-set win over American Ethan Quinn in R32. Later, he ousted Serbian Laslo Djere in R16 and de Minaur in the QF to seal his spot in the last four.

Speaking of his opponent, Frenchman Arthur Fils has shown a promising form in 2025. Back in January, he managed to reach the QF of the Hong Kong Open. Then, down under, he made his way to the third round of the Happy Slam. In the next two events (Rotterdam and Dubai), however, he failed to go past R16 and R32. But his last three campaigns have been impressive, to say the least.

At the Indian Wells, Miami Open, and Monte Carlo Masters, he succeeded in reaching back-to-back QF rounds. This week, he made it to his first SF of an event this season after his QF opponent Stefanos Tsitsipas withdrew due to an injury.

Alcaraz v Fils: Head-to-Head

Both players have faced each other only once on the ATP level. Currently, Alcaraz is leading the h2h tally 1-0 against Fils.

• 2025 Monte Carlo Masters QF: Alcaraz 4-6, 7-5, 6-3

Prediction: Carlos Alcaraz to win in straight sets

When it comes to singles stats, Carlos Alcaraz has a big advantage over Arthur Fils. The 21-year-old Spaniard has won 23 of his 27 matches this season (85.18 win percentage) compared to the Frenchman (16-7).

Speaking of event history, Alcaraz has been a two-time champion already in Barcelona. In 2022, he beat compatriot Pablo Carreno in the final with a score line of 6-3, 6-2. Then a year later, in 2023’s edition, he bested Stefanos Tsitsipas in the summit clash with a score line of 6-3, 6-4. Last season, Alcaraz didn’t play at the event.

On the other hand, Fils has only played Barcelona Open once. Last season, he showed a good form, reaching the QF. And this week, he’s earned his best run yet by entering the semifinal.

But what about the playing styles of these two? Well, Alcaraz is known for his unreal athleticism. Not to mention his art of covering the court between the baseline and the net. Combine that up with his ability to hit perfect drop shots at will to leave the opponents speechless and in awe. The Spaniard has also got solid groundstrokes in his arsenal apart from the skill to survive long rallies.

When it comes to Fils, he mostly relies on his strong forehand and a powerful serve. His overall approach remains aggressive during a match in order to finish the points quickly and build pressure on his opponents.

Considering the h2h record and overall form this season, the Spaniard is likely to clinch Saturday’s face-off. Expect him to win the Barcelona Open semifinal in straight sets against Fils.