Fils wins Japan Open 2024, saves match point to beat Humbert in all-French final

Fils became the youngest champion in Tokyo in over 40 years and he had to do it the hard way when he faced match point in the second-set tiebreak.

Published : Oct 01, 2024 19:14 IST , Tokyo - 1 MIN READ

Fils, the World No. 24, came back from the brink to edge his Paris Olympics doubles partner in three hours and four minutes in Tokyo.
Fils, the World No. 24, came back from the brink to edge his Paris Olympics doubles partner in three hours and four minutes in Tokyo. | Photo Credit: REUTERS
infoIcon

Fils, the World No. 24, came back from the brink to edge his Paris Olympics doubles partner in three hours and four minutes in Tokyo. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

France’s Arthur Fils came back from a match point down to win the Japan Open with a 5-7, 7-6 (8/6), 6-3 victory over countryman Ugo Humbert on Tuesday.

Fils, the World No. 24, came back from the brink to edge his Paris Olympics doubles partner in three hours and four minutes in Tokyo.

It gave the 20-year-old Fils his third career title and second this year, following his success in Hamburg.

Humbert, the World No. 19, lost a final for the first time in his career, having won the previous six.

He was bidding to become the first player in ATP tour history to win his first seven finals.

ALSO READ: Alcaraz beats Medvedev in straight sets to reach China Open final

Fils became the youngest champion in Tokyo in over 40 years and he had to do it the hard way when he faced match point in the second-set tiebreak.

He survived it to level the match before breaking Humbert to for a 5-3 lead in the final set that left him serving for the championship.

He clinched the victory on his first match point with an ace down the centre before collapsing to the ground.

Fils knocked out top seed and US Open finalist Taylor Fritz in the first round.

He also came through gruelling matches against defending champion Ben Shelton and number six seed Holger Rune to reach the final.

It was the first all-French final on the ATP tour in four years.

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment