First week of the year, and first Frenchman in the final of an ATP tournament. Opposed to Jaume Munar (62nd in the world), Alexandre Müller brilliantly overturned a poorly started game to win at the end of a big fight lasting 2h25 (4-6, 7-6 [5]6-4) and join the final of the Hong Kong 250 tournament this Saturday. Trailing a set and a break (6-4, 3-1), the right-hander with a two-handed backhand showed his physical qualities and his mental strength to reverse the scenario, facing an opponent in full confidence after his victory on the seeded number two Lorenzo Musetti.
Aged 27, the native of Poissy will try to win his first title on the main circuit, having failed once on the last step, in April 2023 in Marrakech. To do this, he will have to overcome Japanese veteran Kei Nishikori, who will return to the top 100 next week after his great tournament.
Author of an exemplary week, Müller is experiencing an exceptional tournament in Hong Kong. Indeed, the Frenchman, a true marathoner, won his four matches by losing the first round, and extricated himself from particularly bad situations, like his round of 16 against the Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic, finally won at the end. suspense after discarding two match points (5-7, 7-6 [6]7-6 [10]en 3h22).
Friday, Müller created a surprise by claiming the scalp of his compatriot Arthur Fils (3-6, 6-3, 6-1), ranked 20th in the world and seeded number four in the tournament. The Parisian, 67th at the start of the week, and guaranteed to obtain his best career ranking next Monday, since he will be at worst 59th when the new ranking is revealed.
