ATP Paris: Alexander Zverev defeats local hero Arthur Fils in three sets – and moves into the quarter-finals

Germany’s tennis star Alexander Zverev reached the quarter-finals at the ATP Masters in Paris after a show of strength. The world number three beat local hero Arthur Fils 6:4, 3:6, 6:3. The Hamburger, who now faces the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas, further extended his record with his 63rd win this season.

Zverev initially had difficulty against Fils, against whom he lost the final at the home tournament at Rothenbaum in the summer. While the German often had to go over deuce in his service games, the world number 20 had fewer problems with his own service.

But Zverev was there at the crucial moment; the break to 5:4 gave him the first set.

In the second round, Zverev missed a break point to make it 2-1 and in return lost his serve to make it 1-3 – it was the preliminary decision.

In the last set, Zverev managed the break to make it 3-1 against the 20-year-old Fils, who had eliminated Jan-Lennard Struff from Warstein in two sets the day before. He didn’t let his lead be taken away from him.

The next difficult task awaits in the round of the last eight; Zverev has a clearly negative record against Tsitsipas: his only five wins are compared to ten defeats. The last duel on hard court went to the German 6:4, 6:4 at the United Cup in Sydney on January 5th.

Zverev was only the fourth player ever to reach at least the round of 16 in all nine Masters tournaments within one year. Nevertheless, he has “only” one tournament victory (Rome) to his credit so far in 2024.

The Tokyo Olympic champion’s battery is practically empty after several injuries and illnesses, which is why he was “forced” on Monday to cancel his participation in the Davis Cup finals in Malaga at the end of November.

Following the tournament in France’s capital, he will only play at the ATP Finals in Turin this year.