Arthur Fils ended up having the last word at the ATP tournament in Tokyo against the defending champion, Ben Shelton (7-5, (5)6-7, 7-6(2)). In the semi-final, the Frenchman will face Holger Rune.
This Sunday in the land of the rising sun, Ugo Humbert got off to a good start in his quarter-final at the Tokyo tournament where after winning the first round, he won by retirement against the Briton Jack Draper. A little later during the Tokyo night (afternoon Paris time), Arthur Fils also punched his ticket for the final four of this ATP 500, the third time in his career that he has reached this stage.. However, the 20-year-old Frenchman had a tough time against Ben Shelton.
Up against the wall, the defending champion saved two match points and broke immediately to go to the tie-break which he even won! But although he gained the upper hand, the American did end up losing after a arm wrestling concluded in the tie-break of the third act, clearly dominated by the 24th in the world (7-5, (5)6-7, 7-6(2)). In search of a second tournament this season after his coronation in Hamburg, Arthur Fils will challenge the Dane Holger Rune in the semi-final, who defeated Nippon Kei Nishikori (3-6, 6-2, 7-5).
Rune, a good memory for Son
Seeded No. 6 in the Japanese capital, Holger Rune saved a match point on his throw in the third set before finishing the match with a bang, winning four consecutive games to dominate the former finalist of the US Open. The Dane will advance as favorite this Monday against Arthur Fils even if
during their only duel in 2024, it was the Frenchman who emerged victorious after abandonment in July before heading straight for glory in the final in Hamburg.
