Arthur Fils, Heroic, Overcomes Munar After an Epic Battle

Arthur Fils faced Munar in the second round of Roland-Garros on the Suzanne-Lenglen court.

After his first victory at Porte d’Auteuil, the Frenchman entered his second match in the capital against Spain’s Munar (57ᵗʰ). Neck-and-neck in the first two sets, the players had to settle each one in a tie-break, both won by the young Frenchman (7-3 then 7-4). The match was a true rollercoaster with numerous breaks and counter-breaks.

Later, while momentum seemed to favor Arthur Fils, the Bondoufle native faltered in the next two sets, visibly hampered by a physical issue that required the physio’s intervention—first on the court, then in the locker room. Hindered in his movement and serve, the world No. 14 saw his opponent level the match at two sets apiece.

In the fifth and final set, Arthur Fils found a second wind, breaking Munar’s serve at 3-3 before losing his own serve again. At 4-4, an intense tug-of-war ensued, lasting over 10 minutes of play, during which the Frenchman fought to save his serve and win the game. In an atmosphere worthy of a football match and after winning 11 of the last 16 points, Fils broke the Spaniard, earning two match points and clinching this monumental battle after one final epic point.

After 4 hours and 25 minutes of play and five sets (7-6, 7-6, 2-6, 0-6, 6-4), Arthur advances to the third round at Porte d’Auteuil and will face the winner of Rublev-Walton.