Arthur Fils upsets Zverev to win Hamburg Open

Arthur Fils upsets Zverev to win Hamburg Open

/ 04:58 PM July 22, 2024

Arthur Fils Hamburg Open

France’s Arthur Fils, center, holds the winner’s trophy after defeating Germany’s Alexander Zverev, right in the men’s singles final of the German Open, in Hamburg, Germany, Sunday, July 21, 2024. (Frank Molter/dpa via AP)

France’s Arthur Fils came out on top after a grueling three-set encounter with Alexander Zverev to win the Hamburg Open on Sunday, defeating the hometown player 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7/1).

After victory in Lyon last year, it is the 20-year-old’s second ATP title as he confirms his position as one of the sport’s leading next-gen players.

Article continues after this advertisement

World number 28 Fils overcame German top seed Zverev on the clay in Hamburg after just over three-and-a-half hours on court.

FEATURED STORIES

READ: Djokovic cruises at Wimbledon, Zverev crashes

“I knew from the start it was not going to be easy. First set I was taking care of it, I think I had a little but of luck, but playing great. Then second set he managed to play better than me and to raise his level,” said Fils during the trophy ceremony.

“When we closed the roof I knew it was going to be just a fight, like a dogfight. You just have to fight until the last point, until the last ball. I’ve practising for a long time for this kind of moment so I’m really happy to win it.”

Article continues after this advertisement

Fils pounced on a slow start by the big-serving Zverev to capitalise on a double fault and break the German in his very first service game.

Article continues after this advertisement

He was severely tested in his third service game but managed to hold the Hamburg native at bay, before Zverev required treatment as play stopped midway through the next game at 40-40 with the German trailing 1-4.

Article continues after this advertisement

He recovered to win the game but the damage was already done in the first set with Fils hanging on to serve out despite facing a total of nine break points in the set.

READ: Carlos Alcaraz overcomes Zverev to win first French Open title

But Zverev was now putting intense pressure on the Fils serve and managed to break his opponent at last, converting a break point at the eighth time of asking in the second set to take a 4-2 lead.

Article continues after this advertisement

The second set then stayed on serve as the French Open runner-up took his hometown tournament to a decider.

The third set became a battle of attrition as both players held serve as it rumbled inevitably towards a tiebreak.

Fils was the first to attack in the tiebreak, forcing Zverev to net a forehand then pull a backhand long to give himself a 3-0 lead.

The 27-year-old German won his only point after outlasting his opponent in a long rally to go into the change of ends trailing 1-5.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

But Fils responded with a backhand winner up the line to give himself championship point, which he sealed as Zverev dumped his return into the net.

TAGS: Alexander Zverev

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.