Frenchman Arthur Fils, 18, the 112th player in the world, qualified for the final of the ATP tournament in Lyon on Friday by winning at the expense of American Brandon Nakashima, seeded N.8, 7-5, 4 -6, 7-6 (7/5). He will face Argentinian Francisco Cerundolo in the final on Saturday, winner of Briton Cameron Norrie 6-3, 6-0.
It’s a performance that brings back fond memories of French tennis, since Fils is the youngest French finalist in an ATP tournament since Richard Gasquet in 2004…. Son’s year of birth. Sometimes dominated, Fils showed a remarkable drive to fend off many break points in the first set, before finally getting out of it in the last tie-break despite a big cramp in his left leg, all in a rather crazy atmosphere in the central part of the Tête d’Or park.
Hopefully there will be enough fuel for Fils to compete with Francisco Cerundolo, whose brother he beat recently in Rome. And above all, that he saves a little for Roland-Garros next week.