Fils, Fonseca impress on European clay

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Arthur Fils and Joao Fonseca were the standout #NextGenATP performers during Week 17 of the season, with the pair advancing to quarter-finals in Barcelona and Bucharest, respectively.

The 19-year-old Frenchman Fils showed fans why he won a clay-court tour-level title in Lyon last season with his impressive victories at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell, where he beat Daniel Altmaier and World No. 11 Alex de Minaur to reach the last eight.

Fils’ run at the ATP 500 has lifted him to first in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah and the World No. 32 will have the chance to build his lead when he competes at the Mutua Madrid Open this week.

PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah

Fonseca, 17, further strengthened his early hopes of qualifying for the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF at the Tiriac Open in Bucharest, where he beat Lorenzo Sonego and Radu Albot to advance to his second ATP Tour quarter-final of the season.

The Brazilian, currently sixth in the Live Race To Jeddah, is making his debut in Madrid this week and meets Alex Michelsen in the first round. The 19-year-old American Michelsen earned his first clay-court tour-level win in Munich against Max Hans Rehberg.

Frenchman Luca Van Assche also recorded victory on clay, beating Zhang Zhizhen in Barcelona before falling to Fabian Marozsan. Van Assche will compete in Madrid this week, starting against Zizou Bergs.

Jakub Mensik, Shang Juncheng, Martin Landaluce and 16-year-old Darwin Blanch will all take to court at the ATP Masters 1000 clay-court event. With big points on offer in the Spanish capital, there will be opportunities to surge in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah. But who will seize their chance?