Fils edges past Rune in thriller to set up all-French final in Tokyo

Arthur Fils defeated Holger Rune, the No 6 seed, 7-6 (8), 7-6 (10) to move into the final of the Japan Open at the Ariake Colosseum in Tokyo.

In an extraordinarily close contest, Fils eventually ran out as a straight-set winner despite a fiercely-fought contest that went down to the wire in both sets.

The Frenchman edged the first 10-8 in the tiebreak before taking the second 12-10, again on a tiebreak, sealing victory following a superb rally.

fils versus humbert in all-french final

Fils, ranked No 24, will play fellow Frenchman Ugo Humbert in the final after he beat Tomas Machac in the day’s first semi-final.

The 20-year-old Frenchman won against American Taylor Fritz, the top seed (6-4, 3-6, 6-3), Italian Matteo Berrettini (6-7 (5), 0-0 ret.) and defending Ben Shelton, the No 8 seed (7-5, 6-7 (5), 7-6 (2)) earlier in the tournament.

In the previous rounds of the Tokyo Open, Rune, ranked No 14, beat Chilean Alejandro Tabilo (6-2, 5-7, 6-4), Japanese wildcard Yoshihito Nishioka (6-2, 6-4) and Japanese wildcard Kei Nishikori (3-6, 6-2, 7-5).

Tokyo ATP 500, other semi-final result (Ariake Colosseum, hard, USD 1.818.380):

• Ugo Humbert beat Tomas Machac: 6-3, 3-6, 6-2