Miami
Fils saves 4 MPs, stuns Paul in Miami thriller
Frenchman rallies from 2/6 in the deciding-set tie-break
March 26, 2026
Rich Storry/Getty Images
Arthur Fils is the youngest French ATP Masters 1000 semi-finalist since 2007.
By Grant Thompson
Arthur Fils dramatically saved 4 match factors to flee Tommy Paul on Wednesday on the Miami Open presented by Itau.
In one of many matches of the season, the 21-year-old spoiled the hopes of the house favorite Paul 6-7(3), 7-6(4), 7-6(6) to achieve his maiden ATP Masters 1000 semi-final. Fils, who was unable to interrupt Paul’s serve all through the two-hour, 47-minute conflict, tallied six consecutive factors from 2/6 in the deciding-set tie-break to advance.
“It was a dog fight and I never back down from a fight,” Fils stated in his on-court interview. “Even if I lose, it’s okay, I just fought the best that I could.”
What a fighter @ArthurFils is! ❤️@MiamiOpen | (*4*) pic.twitter.com/NfpeLUbE03
— ATP Tour (@atptour) March 26, 2026
The twenty eighth seed produced relentless aggression all through the night time, pummeling the ball more durable and more durable because the match wore on. Fils entered Wednesday’s match 0-4 in ATP Masters 1000 quarter-finals, together with a defeat in that spherical earlier this month in Indian Wells. By advancing to the final 4, Fils turned the youngest French ATP Masters 1000 semi-finalist since a 21-year-old Richard Gasquet in 2007 (Paris).
“That’s the best result I’ve had in my life so far,” stated Fils. “I will try to do my best in the semis, but now I’m pretty happy.”
In the opening set, Paul dropped only one level behind his first serve whereas producing a clear baseline efficiency. Fils’ early aggression resulted in his personal demise in essential moments, together with the first-set tie-break, when the Frenchman dedicated a number of unforced errors, swinging the momentum in Paul’s favour.
Fils discovered his greatest stage once more in the second set, unleashing his forehand with depth. Radiating his traditional fierce emotion, Fils and Paul engaged in thrilling rallies over prolonged stretches of play. The house hope gained a lung-busting 29-shot rally in the third sport of the the decider, seemingly grabbing the momentum once more.
A 3-time ATP Tour titlist, Fils didn’t create a break alternative till 6-5 in the decider, which doubled because the Frenchman’s first match level. However, Fils misfired a working forehand to let slip that chance.
Then, drama ensued. Trailing 2/6 in the final-set tie-break, Fils displayed otherworldly athleticism and shotmaking. Paul had two match factors behind his serve, at 6/3 and 6/4, the primary of which he misplaced after sliding to his knees for a backhand volley. The following level, Fils dug out of a defensive place, touchdown a number of open-stance backhands to remain in the rally, which ended with a forehand unforced error from Paul.
Watch Fils’ match level saves:
When Fils sealed his unforgettable comeback, he immediately lined his face together with his shirt in disbelief earlier than pounding his chest and cracking a big smile in the direction of his staff.
Up subsequent for Fils is twenty first seed Jiri Lehecka, whom the Frenchman leads 2-1 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head sequence. Their most up-to-date assembly got here in the Doha quarter-finals final month, which Fils gained 6-3, 6-3.
