Son eliminated from the Masters NextGen, Van Assche climbs into the last four

Arthur Fils (20th in the world) was eliminated in the group stage of the NextGen ATP Finals, of which he reached the final last year, beaten on Friday in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) by the American Learner Tien (122nd) 4-2 4-2 3-4 (4/7) 4-3 (7/5), making Luca Van Assche the only French qualifier for the semi-finals. Son (20 years old), logically seeded N.1 after his run at Wimbledon and his title in Tokyo, seemed blunted against the young American who was far from him in the ATP rankings.

After letting the first two sets slip away without really resisting, the native of Bondoufle, in the Paris region, let his ego speak to take the 3rd round after a tough tie-break, but without really finding a rhythm that would suggest a turnaround of the match. The scenario repeated itself in the fourth set, and after saving a first match point, Fils gave in on the second after 1h45 of play.

Placed in the blue group, and designated as one of the favorites, he was beaten from the start on Wednesday by the Brazilian Joao Fonseca (145th), before dominating the Czech Jakub Mensik (48th) the next day. But must therefore leave the tournament which brings together the best hopes of world Tennis after this new defeat.

Luca Van Assche did the job

Among the Reds, his compatriot Luca Van Assche (128th in the world) however qualified for the last four by dominating the American Nishesh Basavareddy (138th) in four sets 3-4 (2/7), 4-3 (9 /7), 4-2, 4-2. Van Assche (20 years old) also had a tricky start, betrayed by a completely failed tie-break (two small points scored) which offered the first set to his opponent. But he was able to raise his level of play against the 19-year-old American.

With a break in advance, he won the third set 4-2 and on his momentum, won the fourth, synonymous with qualification after two hours of match. The native of Woluwe (Belgium) matches his performance from last year and will face Fonseca for a place in the final.

In the other semi-final, Tien will face another American, Alex Michelsen (41st player in the world), who benefited from the abandonment of the Chinese Shang Juncheng (50th) after having flown through the first round (4-1, 1-1 ).