Arthur Fils valiantly overcame a left ankle injury to triumph over fellow Frenchman Ugo Humbert with a score of 5-7 7-6(6) 6-3 in the Japan Open final on Tuesday, securing the third ATP title of his career.
The 20-year-old gained confidence throughout the three-hour match after dropping the initial set and managed to save a match point before securing his first win against Humbert, who had beaten him in their previous four encounters, including twice this year.
“After 5-5 in the first set, I felt like I was going to collapse on the court. He was hitting incredible shots … I could have easily lost today,” Fils remarked in his post-match interview.
Fils broke early to lead 3-2 in the first set but encountered difficulties with his serve, conceding a break to Humbert in the subsequent game due to consecutive double faults. Nonetheless, Fils then applied pressure on world number 19 Humbert, forcing him to save four break points in order to hold serve twice.
Humbert was the one to make a breakthrough by securing the first set, while Fils struggled due to his injury. The world number 24 received some medical attention in the second set as Humbert aimed to break serve and take a 5-4 lead, achieving a 40-0 advantage. However, Fils demonstrated resilience, saving all three break points with precise shots near the baseline, pushing the set into a tiebreak.
In the tiebreaker, Humbert gained a 6-5 advantage and was on the verge of winning the match. Yet Fils, now moving more fluidly, saved a match point with an impressive backhand passing shot and clinched the next two points to win the set.
In the deciding third set, Fils exerted considerable effort, and Humbert managed to save two break points before his compatriot ultimately triumphed. Fils took a 5-3 lead and sealed the title with an ace.
“I am super happy, super proud of you,” Humbert told Fils.
