Frustrating Fils fails to put away qualifier Tabilo in Auckland

Chilean qualifier Alejandro Tabilo advanced to the final of the Auckland Open by defeating Frenchman Arthur Fils, the No 6 seed, 6-2, 7-5 at the ASB Tennis Arena on Friday evening.

It was a frustrating match for Fils, who had a real opportunity to pick up his second ATP title after top seed Ben Shelton lost earlier in the day. The Frenchman did not seem himself initially in the semi-final, playing nervous tennis with six unforced errors and just two winners in the first set.

After conceding the opening set, however, Fils found his game and began playing the big-hitting, aggressive tennis that has brought the 19-year-old to the brink of the world’s top 30.

Fils fluffs second set lead, falls short in epic final game

Quickly, Fils raced out to a 4-1 lead in the second set, which soon became 5-2.

However, serving to force a decider at 5-3, the Frenchman faltered courtesy of a wobbly service game. Double faults crept into his game, with the teenager making a total of six across the second set.

Tabilo then went on a streak from 2-5 to 6-5, winning four games on the bounce with consecutive breaks of the vulnerable looking Fils. The world No 35 iterated between playing brilliant tennis (booming winners painting the lines and stunning volleys) and very average tennis (double faults and drop shots halfway up the net).

Ultimately, the match was decided by an incredible 17-minute final game with Tabilo serving at 6-5. The Chilean took four match points to seal the semi-final, while Fils had five opportunities to break his opponent as well. Again, it was a mix of amazing tennis and frustrating errors by the Frenchman.

Tabilo through to second career final as qualifier

“Unbelievable,” said Tabilo after the match, who is now into his second career final. “It’s been almost two years since I was able to get to a final. The last time I also came from qualifying. Unbelievable feeling.

“It’s been so much hard work. It’s been a work in progress from everyone.

“I’ve been seeing Artur playing on Tour, I know he’s very intense a big hitter. I knew I had to come out intense and make him hit every ball.”

Tabilo, ranked No 82, will face Japan’s Taro Daniel next.

In the previous rounds of the Auckland tournament, the Chilean won against Croat Borna Gojo (1-6, 6-3, 6-2), Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp (7-5, 6-3) and second seed Cameron Norrie (W/O).

Fils, ranked No 35, won against wildcard Richard Gasquet (6-3, 6-4), Portuguese Nuno Borges (6-2, 6-0) and German Daniel Altmaier (7-6 (2), 1-0 ret.) earlier in the tournament.

Auckland ATP 250, other semi-final result (ASB Tennis Arena, hard, USD 739.945):

• Taro Daniel beat Ben Shelton (1): 7-5, 7-6 (9)

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