From our special correspondent at the Plénitude Arena,
He got up from his chair first, fist raised, heading towards the baseline with the racket in front of his eyes, to the ovation of the audience, who shouted loud “Arthur, Arthur”. However, no victory in sight or miraculous point scored, but the energy of despair transmitted to Arthur Fils, on the edge of the precipice, led 6-3, 5-4 by Taylor Fritz, service to follow for the American.
The crowd at the Plénitude Arena gave everything until the end, applauding a first foul ball or a complicated throw from the one-night enemy. But nothing disturbed the Californian, who concluded this last game without any problem to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Masters 1000 in Paris and thus eliminate the best French chance, the 7th player in the world.
Arthur Fils, however, arrived with great ambitions this year, with his best ranking and a qualification for the ATP Finals (formerly called Masters) even before having played his first match on the ultra-fast surface of La Défense. “Since the start of the season, I have been waiting to play in Paris,” he explained upon arriving in the capital. I couldn't do it during Roland. I'm looking forward to playing here. »
“Taylor Fritz was stronger than me”
After a rather convincing first match against the modest Tomas Machac, Arthur Fils emerged from his confrontation against the American completely stunned, helpless, in front of the warheads thrown by his opponent. “There was a moment when I said to myself that it was still going to be very complicated,” Fils soberly commented at a press conference. He just played better than me. I wasn't comfortable on the court, because he made me uncomfortable. He was stronger than me, he served better and returned better. »
Author of 14 aces during the match with almost 80% of points won behind his first serve, Taylor Fritz repeated the successful recipe of his compatriot Tommy Paul earlier in the day against Quentin Halys (14 aces and 96% of points scored behind his first serve), who could only deplore having had "only one opportunity in the first game" of the match.
This service success, Arthur Fils was far, very far from it: only six aces and 60% of points scored after his first ball. Insufficient, especially on an ultra-fast surface like that of the Plénitude Arena, to worry Fritz who also made twice as many winning shots as the Ile-de-France player.
“Afterwards, it’s hard indoor, so I said to myself: why not, at one point, a game where I will perhaps manage to have a few chances and hinder him? Overall, it's not like I had a bad match. It's two breaks in the end, 6-3, 6-4. Not much to say. »
A new failure in Paris
Arthur Fils, who did not feel any physical discomfort, still admitted that he could have handled certain situations better: “There were quite a few points where I was a little too defensive, I think. Afterwards, it is also due to his playing speed, on a hard court which is very fast. I could have returned better on the second balls. Maybe I could have used my forehand better. » So many avenues to work on which still risk making him think about his lack of success in Paris.
