#NextGenATP Fils Captures Maiden Title In Lyon

Arthur Fils has arrived on the biggest stage.

The #NextGenATP Frenchman captured his first tour-level title on Saturday at the Open Parc Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes Lyon, where he defeated Francisco Cerundolo 6-3, 7-5 to become the youngest champion in tournament history.

"I will remember this forever," Fils said. "It has been a great week. It has been amazing. I am happy with the win and now I want more. It was a tough semi-final match. Today I came onto court with not lots of energy, but I was focused on my game and trying my best.

"I was feeling that I was playing well earlier [this week] but I didn't maybe expect that I would win the tournament."

The 18-year-old, who overcame Brandon Nakashima in three sets in the semi-finals, played aggressively throughout the one-hour, 36-minute final. He showed great agility and opened his shoulders to overpower the fourth-seeded Argentine in their first ATP Head2Head meeting. Fils dropped to the floor after sealing victory on his first championship point, with the vocal home crowd roaring in support of the Frenchman.

With his 10th tour-level win of the season, Fils has become the youngest champion on the ATP Tour this year. He is also the third teenager to win a trophy in 2023, joining Carlos Alcaraz (Indian Wells, Barcelona, Buenos Aires) and Holger Rune (Munich).

Fils reached semi-finals on home soil in Montpellier and Marseille earlier this season. He found another level in Lyon, though. With his title victory, he climbed to third in the Pepperstone ATP Live Next Gen Race.

The Frenchman is also set to crack the Top 100 for the first time, rising 49 places to No. 63 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings. Fils and countryman Luca Van Assche, 19, are the only teenagers inside the Top 100 heading into Roland Garros.

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In an entertaining final, Fils was urged on by vocal home support, with a live band producing an electric atmosphere between points. After soaring to the first set, Fils twice let slip a break advantage in the second set. The 18-year-old eventually earned the third and what proved to be decisive break in the 11th game of the set, before he held his nerve on serve to earn the biggest win of his career.

Cerundolo was aiming to capture his second tour-level trophy, having triumphed in Bastad last season. The 24-year-old will arrive at Roland Garros holding a 13-9 record on clay in 2023, after reaching quarter-finals in Rome and Barcelona.

Did You Know?
Starting the week No. 112 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, Fils is the lowest-ranked champion this season. The 18-year-old is also the third first-time winner in 2023, joining Wu Yibing and Tallon Griekspoor.