Arthur Fils has advanced to the Madrid Open quarter-finals after defeating Tomas Etcheverry in straight sets.
Fils, who is likely to enter the ATP top-20 after his performances in Madrid, defeated the Argentine 6-3, 6-4 in the Arantxa Sanchez Stadium.
The Frenchman has been in fine form since returning from a long-term injury in February, reaching at least the quarter-final stage in six of the seven tournaments he has played.
Is Arthur Fils the next best player after Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner?
This week has been no different: the 21-year-old has dropped just one set on his way to the last eight.
By reaching the quarter-finals in Madrid, Fils has also ended a 13-year French drought at the event.
Arthur Fils emulates Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
Fils has become the first French man or woman to reach the Madrid Open quarter-finals since Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in 2013.
Tsonga, the former world number five, defeated Robin Haase and Fernando Verdasco on his way to the quarter-final stage that year.
The Frenchman’s run came to an end against Stan Wawrinka, who advanced to the semi-finals with a 6-2, 6-7, 6-4 victory.
Wawrinka went on to reach the final, where he lost to clay-court maestro Rafael Nadal.
Fils now has the opportunity to achieve what Tsonga could not do in 2013: reach the Madrid Open semi-finals.
Fils will face Jiri Lehecka in the quarter-finals. Lehecka, the world number 14, defeated sixth seed Lorenzo Musetti on Tuesday.
Arthur Fils vs Jiri Lehecka
- 2024 Davis Cup: Fils won 6-7, 7-5, 6-4
- 2025 Canadian Open: Lehecka won 3-6, 6-3, 6-4
- 2026 Qatar Open: Fils won 6-3, 6-3
- 2026 Miami Open: Lehecka won 6-2, 6-2
Fils has a 2-2 record against the Czech star and has already played Lehecka twice this year.
Fils won their first meeting of 2026 in the Qatar Open quarter-finals. A month later, Lehecka defeated the Frenchman in the Miami Open semi-finals.
Arthur Fils discusses the influence of Goran Ivanisevic
Earlier this year, Arthur Fils hired Goran Ivanisevic as his primary coach.
Ivanisevic, the 2001 Wimbledon Men’s Singles champion, has previously worked with Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas.
After defeating Tomas Etcheverry on Tuesday, Fils discussed how the Croatian has helped to improve various aspects of his game.
“The service, the volley… everything,” Fils said, as reported by French outlet L’Equipe.
“Try to go longer along the line at times. Put more pressure on the opponent. He helps me a lot with his experience. He was an incredible player.
“He tells me when I have to change something or, on the contrary, continue in the same direction.
It’s good to have him by my side. He was number 2 in the world.
“But what interests me more is how he won Wimbledon. It’s crazy. He told me a few stories, it’s very funny.”
