Fils joins Muller in Hong Kong quarter-finals

First match of the season for Arthur Fils. Seeded number 4 at the Hong Kong ATP tournament, the Frenchman was exempt from the first round and entered the competition directly in the Round of 16.

His first opponent of 2025 is Zizou Bergs, who defeated Moro Canas in the first round (6-4, 6-4).

The 20-year-old got off to the best possible start and quickly took his opponent's serve, but was unable to complete the set.

On his first break point of the set, the Belgian came back to win the tiebreak. It was the French player who was the most solid to win the first set 7-6 (9 points to 7 in the tiebreak).

In the second, the scenario seemed to repeat itself as the winner of Hamburg and Tokyo 2024 quickly took the lead, but Bergs quickly broke back.

This time, however, the Frenchman made the difference for the second time and held on to his commitment right to the end.

Arthur Fils wins (7-6, 6-4 in 1h39) and qualifies for the quarter-finals.

The good news for French tennis is that he will be up against Alexandre Muller, who defeated Miomir Kecmanovic earlier in the day after a marathon lasting over three and a quarter hours (5-7, 7-6, 7-6).

A French player will now contest the last four in Hong Kong. The two men met in Rome last year, with Muller winning in two sets.

To date, this is their only meeting on the ATP circuit. This will be an opportunity for Fils to take his revenge.

For Muller, the challenge will be to reach his first semi-final on the ATP circuit since Marrakech in April 2023 (when he reached the final).