Published on May 27, 2023 at 4:29 p.m. – updated on May 27, 2023 at 5:55 p.m.
At only 18 years old, Arthur Fils won the very first title of his career on the main ATP circuit by dominating Francisco Cerundolo in two sets during the final of the Lyon tournament.
Arthur Fils enters the big leagues! After having failed at the gates of the final both in Montpellier and Marseille at the start of the season, the 18-year-old did not pass up his first chance to open his record on the main ATP Tour. Indeed, the native of Bondoufle won this Saturday the very first title of his career after a final of the Lyon tournament often mastered against Francisco Cerundolo. A meeting which first saw the Argentinian be in more difficulty than the French on his face-off. This trend was confirmed during a sixth pivotal game in this first round. On a break obtained white, Arthur Fils took the lead on the court to lead five games to two. Never put in difficulty on his face-off, the 112th player in the world did not blink at all when concluding the set. It was on a shutout that the Habs confirmed the advantage taken against the seeded number 4 on Rhone clay. The start of the second set first saw Arthur Fils miss the opportunity to take his opponent’s serve.
FIRST ATP TOUR TITLE ????@ArthurFils1 becomes the youngest Lyon champion after defeating Francisco Cerundolo 6-3 7-5 ????@OpenParcARA | #OpenParc pic.twitter.com/Wueue527XP
— ATP Tour (@atptour) May 27, 2023
Son has everything of a great
However, this was only postponed since, during Francisco Cerundolo’s second entry, the protege of Laurent Raymond went to break… but without being able to confirm. Indeed, in the process, the 112th player in the world saw the Argentinian respond to return to two games everywhere. A new sequence of break exchanges followed, maintaining a status quo between the two players. While a decisive game seemed the logical conclusion to this second set, Arthur Fils was able to put Francisco Cerundolo under pressure and the 28th player in the world ended up cracking. At the end of a hung game and the second break point, the Habs offered themselves the opportunity to conclude this final on their face-off. The first opportunity was good for Arthur Fils who, on a final unforced error from the Argentinian, collapsed on clay in Lyon to celebrate what will remain etched in his memory (6-3, 7-5 in 1h34′). Soon to be 19, the Ile-de-France resident is making sure to jump up the ATP rankings this Monday by joining the Top 70. A first title that gives him maximum confidence before challenging in the first round of Roland-Garros. Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
