Fils gets first Next Gen win, defeats struggling Mensik

Top seed Arthur Fils got his first win of the 2024 ATP Next Gen Finals, beating Jakub Mensik in straight sets, 4-2, 4-3 (4), 4-2.

“Yesterday was a bit tough, to come back here and to play was tough, but I’m really happy about the way I dealt with the match today,” said Fils afterwards, adding in some words of praise for his opponent.

“Very happy about my performance today.”

Asked about dealing with the pressure as top seed, the 20-year-old admitted: “It’s a bit weird. I’m used to being the youngest one! Today it’s the opposite.”

Fils bounces back after opening-day defeat

Both players had lost their opening matches on day one, but it was Fils who bounced back the quickest, going a set and a break up very swiftly, before Mensik clawed his way to a tiebreak.

Fils quickly went 5-0, and although Mensik managed to get four points back, the Frenchman eventually sealed the set.

Mensik went off court at that point for a toilet break and on his return looked extremely displeased, necessitating a chat with the umpire, during which he apparently said that the anti-doping testers were looking to get a sample from him between sets. It did not help him get back on his game in what turned out to be the final set – which he played throughout with taping on his right knee.

Fils ended the match after one hour and 15 minutes having hit 22 winners to his opponent’s 13, and 23 unforced errors to 31.

It puts Fils on top of the Blue Group, albeit briefly, with second-placed Joao Fonseca knowing that if he beats Learner Tien later on Thursday, he will qualify for the semi-finals.