Jannik Sinner stormed previous Arthur Fils in Madrid, they usually may meet once more on the Italian Open.
Jannik Sinner stormed previous Arthur Fils in Madrid, they usually may meet once more in Rome (Picture: Getty)
Arthur Fils has been one of the in-form gamers up to now this clay season. The French star was topped the champion of the ATP 500 occasion in Barcelona final month, after which reached the semi-finals in Madrid earlier than shedding to world No. 1 and eventual champion, Jannik Sinner.
Going into that match, neither Fils nor Sinner had misplaced a match on clay this yr going into that match. However Sinner made gentle work of the world No. 17, profitable 6-2 6-4 in 86 minutes. Now, they may meet once more within the fourth spherical of the Italian Open. Fils had loads of perception heading into his second profession assembly with Sinner, provided that he’d gained 9 matches in a row. However the 21-year-old was shortly handed a actuality test, admitting it was like a “bloodbath” when he confronted the world No. 1.
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Forward of the Italian Open, Fils spoke to ATP Media about going “toe-to-toe” with Sinner in Madrid. However he didn’t agree with the interviewer’s alternative of phrases. “Toe-to-toe? Man, it’s not that toe-to-toe. For the primary set, was extra massacration, however was okay!” he laughed.
“Jokes apart, he’s an excellent champion, he didn’t lose a match since Indian Wells. It’s numerous wins in a row. Was humorous as a result of once we stepped on the courtroom, we each didn’t lose one [match] on the clay, and I used to be like, ‘Okay, possibly I’m going to make him lose’. Didn’t occur!
“However no, it was very good to share the courtroom with him. Very good. It’s an excellent expertise for me. I took some classes from it, making an attempt to work on it as nicely, and hopefully the subsequent time we play, it’s going to be a bit nicer for me. However really, I actually loved it.”
Fils has been touted as one of many brightest younger prospects in tennis. There have been fears {that a} again damage would derail his profession, as he performed only one event between Might 2025 and February 2026, however he has returned with a vengeance this season.
Arthur Fils joked that he suffered a ‘bloodbath’ in opposition to Jannik Sinner in Madrid (Picture: Getty)
On prime of his profitable clay run, the 21-year-old has additionally completed runner-up in Doha, reached the quarter-finals in Indian Wells, and the semis in Miami. However he suffered a heavy 6-2 6-1 defeat to Alcaraz in that Doha last. Whereas his latest matches in opposition to Sinner and Alcaraz have been one-sided, Fils nonetheless believes he can attain the highest of the sport.
“I do consider it. I do consider it. I do know it’s going to be quite a bit, numerous work, numerous battle, a protracted journey, however I actually hope I’m going to be it in the future. I imply, I do it since I used to be a child, to be No. 1 on the planet. It’s not straightforward, it’s not going to be straightforward for certain, but when I’m working, why not? Why not consider it? It’s good to consider,” he defined.
Nevertheless, the world No. 17 additionally is aware of that tennis is a sport of fantastic margins, and he very nicely may have gone 0-2 in the course of the clay season after grinding out some hard-fought opening-round wins in Barcelona and Madrid.
Fils added: “It may have been two loss, no win. I saved a match level in opposition to Terence [Atmane, in Barcelona], three massive units in opposition to [Ignacio] Buse in Madrid. It may have gone the mistaken approach, however very proud of the outcomes I had up to now two weeks. Performed some nice tennis in Barcelona and I’m having fun with myself on the clay, I actually prefer it.”
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