Arthur Fils’ comeback has offered an instant reminder of his incredible talent as he’s progressed through to the Qatar Open final.
Fils has been tipped to challenge Sinner and Alcaraz, and he’s shown he could be up to the task at the Qatar Open.
The Frenchman has beaten Jakub Mensik, Jiri Lehecka, Quentin Halys, and Kamil Majchrzak to reach his first final since the Japan Open in 2024.
Fils will play world number one Carlos Alcaraz in the final, and he has discussed his chances of beating the Spaniard.
Arthur Fils believes he can defeat Carlos Alcaraz in Qatar
Fils has dropped just one set at the Qatar Open, and he looked incredibly impressive in his semi-final against Mensik, who knocked out Sinner in the previous round.
Speaking on court after the match, Fils said: “Eight months without playing, watching the other players and staying in bed… It was a long and difficult ordeal.
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“But today, the comeback is all the sweeter. It means a lot to me to be in the final. If you believe it, then maybe it’s possible.
“As for me, I’ll believe 100% in my chances in the final against Carlos Alcaraz. I’m going to step on the court to fight.”
Fils, who is now up to World No. 33 in the rankings, is yet to beat Alcaraz in his career, but this will be their first-ever meeting on hardcourt.
Arthur Fils and Carlos Alcaraz’s previous meetings
Alcaraz and Fils have met twice on the ATP Tour, with both of their previous meetings coming on clay courts.
Both matches came during last year’s clay court swing ahead of Roland Garros and both went the way of Alcaraz.
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Alcaraz needed three sets to knock Fils out of the quarter-final of the Monte Carlo Masters on his way to lifting the trophy.
The Spaniard then followed that up with a straight sets victory over the Frenchman in the Barcelona Open semi-finals.
Fils will be hoping to change his fortunes as they meet on a hardcourt for the first time in their careers in Qatar.
