Arthur Fils produced a dominant display to defeat Flavio Cobolli 6-3, 6-4 and reach his first Masters 1000 final at the Cincinnati Open. The Frenchman's victory was highlighted by a stunning forehand passing shot winner from wide of the court, which drew a roar from the crowd and set the tone for the rest of the match.
Fils overcomes early pressure to seize control
In a tense, rain-delayed semi-final day in Cincinnati, Fils found himself locked in defence at 3-3, scurrying from sideline to sideline as Cobolli swept to the net. However, Fils pulverised a forehand winner past his astounded opponent, demonstrating the athleticism, explosiveness and audacity that have marked him as a rare talent.
From that moment, Fils took control and marched into his first Masters 1000 final. The win over the No 7 seed adds to an impressive year for the 22-year-old, who has now reached a final, two semi-finals and two other quarter-finals in his five completed Masters 1000 tournaments this year.
Comeback from injury fuels career-best form
Fils has won his fourth title at the Barcelona Open 500 event and has won four of his last six matches against top 10 opponents. He now sits at No 6 in the race to the ATP Finals and will rise to a career high ranking of No 11.
His path has not been easy. In spring last year, Fils suffered a stress fracture in his back that forced him to retire from Roland Garros and sidelined him for nine months. During his time away, he made changes to his forehand and serve technique, learned to slide into his backhand on hard courts, and dropped weight.
After returning, he produced the best tennis of his career, but a hip injury at the Italian Open forced him to withdraw from Roland Garros again. “I was feeling great, but you just got to take it,” he said. “Some things are happening for a purpose. It’s OK.”
Positive mindset and composed approach pay off
Fils' minimal preparation was reflected in his second-round loss at Wimbledon, but he has rebuilt his form quickly. “If I’m sad, there is no way I can make it,” he said. “If I’m positive, then I give myself a shot, at least. When I’m sad, if I’m going crying into my bed, there is no way I can wake up and play some good tennis.”
In his last three matches, Fils has recorded dominant straight sets wins over the fifth seed Alex de Minaur, Thiago Agustín Tirante, and Cobolli. His forehand is considered the heaviest groundstroke in the game, and he has spent the past 10 days demolishing the ball off both wings, serving well, moving spectacularly, and maintaining composure.
“I’m a bit less crazy,” he said. “Miami was nice, I was in the semis, but I lost so much energy in this tournament. I was screaming ‘Come on’, ‘Vamos’ after every point. Now here it’s completely different.”
Historic final and strong women's semi-finals
A first-time Masters 1000 champion will be crowned on Sunday after Frances Tiafoe defeated Brandon Nakashima 7-5, 6-3. The final between Fils and Tiafoe will be the first ever ATP Masters 1000 final between two black players.
In the women's tournament, third seed Jessica Pegula edged out Iga Swiatek 7-5, 4-6, 6-4 to return to the final for the second time in three years. Pegula trailed 1-3 in the final set before winning five of the final six games. “Just really happy with the way I was able to handle a lot that was going on today,” Pegula said.
Pegula will face Coco Gauff in the final after Gauff defeated Sara Bejlek 6-4, 6-1. Elsewhere, Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz will team up in the revamped US Open mixed doubles tournament, with Alcaraz returning from a wrist injury and Williams competing after a four-year retirement.
