ATP Montpellier: Arthur Fils - is he the French's best hope?
Arthur Fils is already in the quarterfinals in his second appearance at an ATP tournament in Montpellier. The 18-year-old could have a bright future ahead of him.
by Jens Huiber
last edit: Feb 10, 2023, 08:18 am
One thing is already certain before today's quarter-finals at the ATP Tour 250 tournament in Montpellier: there will be a French participant in the semi-finals. And whoever that will be, there's a premiere coming up. Because neither Arthur Fils nor Quentin Halys have made it into a semifinal of a tournament at the top ATP level. The more interesting man, with all due respect to Halys, is certainly Fils.
Because the only 18-year-old local hero has already delivered some really strong results this season: Fils won the second ATP Challenger tournament in Oeiras, in Quimper the teenager only failed in the final against compatriot Gregoire Barrere. Finally the next hope of the Grande Nation is coming up. Arthur Fils has only shown himself once on the ATP tour - and in Paris-Bercy last autumn for a curiosity. By first defeating Fabio Fognini in the second round of qualifying for the traditional ATP Masters 1000 tournament. In order to then lose in round one against the Italian, who slipped into the main draw as a lucky loser.
Barrere against Rune, Fils without dropping a set
Arthur Fils has celebrated two truly remarkable victories in Montpellier so far. First against Richard Gasquet, one day himself a great French hope for a very big title. And then in the round of 16 against Roberto Bautista Agut. Remarkable: So far, Fils has not lost a sentence. Opponent Quentin Halys was able to assert himself against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina on Thursday.
And a third Frenchman made it into the quarterfinals: Gregoire Barrere beat Nikoloz Basilashvili in the last match of the second round of 16. And is now given the most difficult task according to the paper form: Holger Rune, the number one of the tournament. At his first appearance in Montpellier, the Dane was able to achieve a convincing victory after a bye against Marc-Andrea Huesler.