Montpellier Open: Sinner ends French teen Fils’ dream run to reach final
The Italian will face either Dane Holger Rune, the top seed, or American Maxime Cressy in the final
Jannik Sinner at the Open Sud de France in Montpellier in 2023
Image Credit: JB Autissier / Panoramic
Italy’s Jannik Sinner advanced to his first singles final of 2023 after a straight sets win over France’s Arthur Fils in the semi-finals of the Open Sud de France in Montpellier on Saturday.
After saving two set points and winning a close opening set 7-5, Sinner was able to stamp his authority in the second to end the French teen’s dream run and win 7-5, 6-2 in one hour and 34 minutes.
“I am very happy to be in my first final of the season” – Sinner
The Italian, who has been as high as No 9 in the world but is currently ranked 17th, is through to his eighth ATP singles final, and will seek to lift his seventh title on Sunday.
“I am very happy to be in my first final of the season,” Sinner said as he was interviewed on court after the win. “We practised very hard to play some big matches. It doesn’t matter what kind of tournament, every tournament when you go far is very good. I am very happy to be in the final here.”
Sinner will play the winner of the match between Dane Holger Rune, the top seed, and American Maxime Cressy next. The 21-year-old Italian benefited from the withdrawal of Hungarian Marton Fucsovics and won against Lorenzo Sonego (6-4, 6-2) in the previous rounds of the Montpellier tournament.
Fils, just 18 and ranked No 163, had been the story of the tournament as he delighted his home fans with wins over Richard Gasquet (7-5, 7-5), Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut, the No 4 seed (6-3, 6-4) and Quentin Halys (7-6 (3), 6-3) earlier in the week.
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