Fils beats Zverev in thriller to clinch Hamburg Open title

Arthur Fils came through an epic tussle with Alexander Zverev, eventually beating the German 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (1) to win the biggest title of his career so far at the Hamburg Open.

It was a remarkable contest for a number of reasons. Firstly, Zverev could only convert one of a scarcely believable 22 break points across the match, while Fils also earned only one break, but at a much higher conversion rate having only generated four break point opportunities.

A combination of profligacy from the German and excellent resolve from Fils meant the door stayed closed 21 times for Zverev, with the only break handing him the second set in an extremely tightly-fought contest.

The Frenchman took the opener with a sole break, before Zverev struck back to force a decider, finally breaking in the sixth game of the second set on his 18th break point.

The third set was another elongated, closely-contest affair. A deciding tiebreak felt appropriate, and so it was, as neither player could find the elusive breakthrough in that final stanza.

The tiebreak was a complete reversal of the theme of the match, however, with Fils impressively stepping up to power across the finish line 7-1 and win the biggest title of his ever-impressive young career.

Controversy sees icy handshake between Fils and Zverev

There was an icy handshake at the net, following controversy over a line call that the German believed was in earlier in the third.

But the hatchet seemed largely buried by the time it came around the post-match interviews.

“Sascha is such a great champion. He’s an unbelievable champion playing unbelievable tennis,” Fils said after the match.

“Making the final of the French Open. I knew from the start it wouldn’t be easy. First set I was taking care of it. I had a bit of luck but playing great. In the second set he played better than me and raised his level.

“When they closed the roof, I knew it would be a dog fight. I just had to fight until the last ball. I’ve been practising for a long time for these kind of moments.”

In the previous rounds of the Hamburg tournament, Fils, ranked No 28, beat Spaniard Jaume Munar (5-7, 6-3, 6-1), Serb Laslo Djere (7-6 (3), 6-2), Dane Holger Rune, the second seed (6-4, 4-1 ret.) and Argentinian Sebastian Baez, the No 3 seed (6-2, 6-2).

Zverev, ranked No 4, defeated Dutch qualifier Jesper De Jong (6-2, 6-2), Frenchman Hugo Gaston (4-6, 6-2, 7-5), Chinese Zhizhen Zhang, the No 8 seed (6-4, 6-3) and Spaniard Pedro Martinez (6-2, 6-4) earlier in the tournament.