Arthur Fils, Karen Khachanov reach Paris R3 | ATP Tour

Match Report

Fils powers past Struff in Paris, Khachanov snaps Gio’s run

20-year-old to face Zverev or Griekspoor for quarter-final spot at ATP Masters 1000

October 30, 2024

Arthur Fils is tapping into the currents in front of his home crowd at the Rolex Paris Masters.

The 20-year-old did not blink in a 6-3, 6-4 win over Jan-Lennard Struff on Wednesday to book his spot in the last-16 at an ATP Masters 1000 for the first time. Fils was clinical under pressure throughout the match, saving all break points faced, according to Infosys ATP Stats.

“I have practiced a lot to reach this level,” said Fils, who improved to 9-1 vs. Top 50 players since September. “I spend a lot of time on court, in the fitness room. We work so hard to manage to get a high level of play throughout a match. From a physical point of view, I need to have a high level, as well.

“It pays off. Even if it’s the last tournament of the year. I’m tired, but this is where I feel best and I have to carry on like this.”

Arthur the Great 💪@ArthurFils1 passes the Struff with flying colours to reach the Round of 16 at a Masters 1000 event for the first time! #RolexParisMasters | @RolexPMasters pic.twitter.com/wJ1stUquTJ

— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 30, 2024

Buoyed by the crowd, Fils dismantled the German’s serve in the second game before surging to a commanding 3-0 lead. The Frenchman came under fire on his serve throughout the first set, but mustered some gutsy tennis to remain in control. In the second set, Fils pulled clear to seal victory in one hour, 33 minutes.

The #NextGenATP star, who is first in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah, became the youngest Frenchman to win a main-draw match in Paris on Tuesday since Richard Gasquet in 2006.

Fils, who is up to a career-high of No. 19 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, has no intention in letting slip his momentum. 

Fils will continue his bid for a maiden ATP Masters 1000 title against either third seed Alexander Zverev or Tallon Griekspoor.

Following Fils’ triumph on Court Central, Karen Khachanov rallied to defeat another home hope in Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, prevailing 6-7(12), 6-1, 6-4 to secure his ticket for the third round. After losing a thrilling first-set tie-break, the 28-year-old dialed in to secure a one-hour, 54-minute victory.

“It’s a pity I didn’t win the tie-break, but at the same time, that pushed me through,” said Khachanov, who improved to 9-1 in the past three weeks. “I said ‘if I keep playing like this, I will have chances’, and I got them.

“I played great, I didn’t lose my serve all match, and I think that’s what made the difference.”

Khachanov, who leads the Tour in indoor wins in 2024 (12-2), had his work cut out against the explosive Frenchman, who was fresh off the back of his maiden ATP 500 crown in Basel. However, Khachanov made no mistake of snapping Mpetshi Perricard’s six-match winning streak with a clinical performance.