Stefanos Tsitsipas and Arthur Fils will be going head-to-head for the first time in their careers when they battle for a spot in the final of the European Open on Saturday.
Tsitsipas started the 2023 campaign in outstanding form, but it has gone downhill in a major way throughout the second half. The seventh-ranked Greek was 12-11 in his last 23 matches dating back to the French Open quarterfinals heading into this ATP 250 tournament in Antwerp. Although Tsitsipas is still a virtual lock to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals, every point matters and he is adding to his total with victories this week over Botic van de Zandschulp and Yannick Hanfmann.
Fils will be competing in a “postseason” event of his own, as he is fifth in the race to the NexGen ATP Finals. The 19-year-old has soared to No. 38 in the rankings thanks in part to his maiden title on the red clay of Lyon plus semifinal showings in Montepellier, Marseille, and Hamburg. Fils is through to another semi following Antwerp defeats of Mark Lajal and Juan Pablo Varillas.
The Frenchman was especially impressive on Friday, when he crushed Varillas 6-0, 6-3. Fils has enjoyed plenty of success on indoor hard courts in the early stages of his career and he has a great opportunity to achieve more at the expense of a struggling opponent.
Pick: Fils in 3
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Stefanos in 2
congratulations to me