Fils equals best Masters 1000 result, trio break ground
#NextGenATP Frenchman Arthur Fils equalled his best result at an ATP Masters 1000 event at the BNP Paribas Open, where he enjoyed a run to the third round.
The 19-year-old, who also reached the same stage in Shanghai last year, overcame Nuno Borges and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in Indian Wells before he was stopped by Casper Ruud. Fils is currently second in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah and is 9-7 on the year.
PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah
Player | Points |
1) Jakub Mensik | 424 |
2) Arthur Fils | 300 |
3) Alex Michelsen | 256 |
4) Shang Juncheng | 250 |
5) Luca Van Assche | 161 |
6) Joao Fonseca | 114 |
7) Ethan Quinn | 80 |
8) Gonzalo Bueno | 69 |
Jakub Mensik, Alex Michelsen and Shang Juncheng earned their first victories at an ATP Masters 1000 event.
The 18-year-old Czech Mensik, who reached his first tour-level final in Doha last month, defeated Seongchan Hong 6-3, 6-4. Mensik leads the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah after a standout start to the season.
The 19-year-old Michelsen became the youngest player from the United States to win a Masters 1000 match since Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe both won at the same age in Miami in 2017. The World No. 74 defeated Jaume Munar in straight sets.
Shang also impressed in California, advancing through qualifying before he beat Jordan Thompson in the first round. The 19-year-old Chinese star is aiming to make his debut at the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF this year.
American Ethan Quinn is up four spots to seventh in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah after he qualified for an ATP Masters 1000 event for the first time. This time last year Quinn was playing college tennis for the University of Georgia and was just inside the Top 500 of the PIF ATP Rankings. The 2023 NCAA Singles champion turned pro during the American summer.