Spoiler:
Both 19-year-olds advance in four sets
January 16, 2024
Arthur Fils faces just two break points in his first-round Australian Open win.Peter Staples/ATP Tour
Arthur Fils faces just two break points in his first-round Australian Open win.
By ATP Staff
Arthur Fils continued his strong start to the 2024 season with a debut victory on Tuesday at the Australian Open. The #NextGenATP Frenchman defeated Jiri Vesely 4-6, 7-5, 6-2, 6-3, turning the opening-round match around with a late surge in the second set.
Fils, who reached the Next Gen ATP Finals title match to close 2023, opened the new year with a quarter-final run in Hong Kong and a semi-final showing in Auckland. The 19-year-old awaits 28th seed Tallon Griekspoor, who defeated Wimbledon quarter-finalist Roman Safiullin 7-5 in the fifth set.
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Fils has now won six matches in the early days of 2024, having reached the quarter-finals in Hong Kong (where he took a set off Andrey Rublev in the quarter-finals) and the semi-finals in Auckland. In the off-season he enjoyed a training block with Rafael Nadal in Kuwait.
“I’ve found my rhythm, my confidence is up and I’m playing better and better,” Fils said.
“It was unbelievable, a really nice experience,” the World No. 34 said of his time with Nadal “He showed me that even in practice he’s going 100 per cent every time. He’s going full, full, full, not taking any rest. He’s always fighting. We did a lot of points and even in practice he wants to fight. I learned a lot and I’m trying to do the same on the court now."
Vesely created just two break points in the two-hour, 45-minute match. He converted on his first in the opening set but Fils denied him early in the fourth set to begin his closing charge. The Frenchman won his last 15 service points to wrap up the match with three love holds.
January 16, 2024
Arthur Fils faces just two break points in his first-round Australian Open win.Peter Staples/ATP Tour
Arthur Fils faces just two break points in his first-round Australian Open win.
By ATP Staff
Arthur Fils continued his strong start to the 2024 season with a debut victory on Tuesday at the Australian Open. The #NextGenATP Frenchman defeated Jiri Vesely 4-6, 7-5, 6-2, 6-3, turning the opening-round match around with a late surge in the second set.
Fils, who reached the Next Gen ATP Finals title match to close 2023, opened the new year with a quarter-final run in Hong Kong and a semi-final showing in Auckland. The 19-year-old awaits 28th seed Tallon Griekspoor, who defeated Wimbledon quarter-finalist Roman Safiullin 7-5 in the fifth set.
The Official App Of Tennis | Download ATP WTA Live App
Fils has now won six matches in the early days of 2024, having reached the quarter-finals in Hong Kong (where he took a set off Andrey Rublev in the quarter-finals) and the semi-finals in Auckland. In the off-season he enjoyed a training block with Rafael Nadal in Kuwait.
“I’ve found my rhythm, my confidence is up and I’m playing better and better,” Fils said.
“It was unbelievable, a really nice experience,” the World No. 34 said of his time with Nadal “He showed me that even in practice he’s going 100 per cent every time. He’s going full, full, full, not taking any rest. He’s always fighting. We did a lot of points and even in practice he wants to fight. I learned a lot and I’m trying to do the same on the court now."
Vesely created just two break points in the two-hour, 45-minute match. He converted on his first in the opening set but Fils denied him early in the fourth set to begin his closing charge. The Frenchman won his last 15 service points to wrap up the match with three love holds.
d. Jiri Vesely 
4-6 7-5 6-2 6-3
