This time, he dropped on clay at the Lyon Open and no one came to tell him that the match was not over, like Friday in the semi-final against Nakashima. This time, Arthur Fils had won the match. Better, he had won the tournament, his first on the ATP circuit. The Lyon Open will thus remain forever in the memory of the Frenchman. At a time when we are celebrating 40 years since Yannick Noah’s victory at Roland-Garros, it’s good to see a youngster confirm the hopes that we place in him while French tennis is impatient to have a potential Grand Slam favorite and is preparing for a small generational dip with the gradual departure of the new musketeers.
But the future will wait a bit as the present is happy for Son. Especially since this final, he went to get it. From the first exchanges, Francisco Cerundolo’s plan was clear, to lock Son on his backhand, where he was likely to give the most. But Son hung on. After a few tight games, he ended up being more comfortable. Until making the white break to lead 4-2 against an Argentinian who was seriously starting to heat up, to the point of asking his clan to leave his box (without effect). Released, he took the game more on his own and completed the set with a marvelous backhand long line in the half-volley which made the public stand up.
What followed was going to be messier. Always hot, Cerundolo redacted a cross forehand to offer a first break to Son (2-1). But the two men would then exchange breaks without managing to break away (3-3). Son tried more, but his forehand let him down too often. Cerundolo, as long as he regained his composure, was more efficient. But calm was not his forte. Out of himself, he ended a game with two double faults and let Fils lead 6-5. A final service game and the French celebrated his first ATP title.