Fils maintains perfect Tsitsipas record; former Rome champs Medvedev, Zverev advance

Arthur Fils continued his impressive recent ATP Masters 1000 record and his dominance against Stefanos Tsitsipas at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome on Sunday, when he advanced to the fourth round following a high-quality display.

The dynamic Frenchman recovered from a slow start on Grand Stand Arena, where he entertained the crowd with his flashy shotmaking to earn a comeback 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 victory against Tsitsipas in one hour and 55 minutes.

"I told him at the net he was playing unbelievable in the first set," Fils said. "He was killing me with his forehand, his backhand, at the net. Serving very good. I could not do a lot of things but in the second set I started to find the rhythm and a way to fight and was happy to finish strong in the third."

Fils played aggressively in the second and third sets, taking large cuts of the ball off both wings to pin Tsitsipas back, while he held his nerve down the closing stage to reach the fourth round at a Masters 1000 event for the fifth time in his past six events.

The 20-year-old, competing at a career-high No. 14 in the PIF ATP Rankings, has often found his best level at Masters 1000 level in 2025, advancing to quarter-finals in Indian Wells, Miami and Monte-Carlo.

At the ATP 500 event in Barcelona last month, Fils reached the semi-finals, moving past Tsitsipas on the way. He now holds a standout 4-0 Lexus ATP Head2Head series record against the former Nitto ATP Finals champion following his latest win.

"If you let him play, I think he is one of the best clay-court players," Fils said on Tsitsipas. "His forehand is a huge weapon. I tried to put him under pressure because if I am not putting him under pressure I am dead."

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Fils is 7-2 against Top 20 players on clay since the start of 2024 and will look to improve that record when he meets the No. 2 in the PIF ATP Rankings Alexander Zverev in the fourth round. Zverev beat Lithuanian qualifier Vilius Gaubas 6-4, 6-0 in 86 minutes.

"I didn't play my best in the first set but he challenged me... He has won four matches here already, beating quality players like Denis [Shapovalov]," Zverev said. "I have huge respect for guys coming through qualifying and guys coming through on Tour. I have been there myself, a long time ago, but I have been there. He is playing great tennis and I am sure we will see more of him."

The defending champion Zverev, who also triumphed in the Italian capital in 2017, was comfortable throughout his third-round win and has now won his his past nine matches in Rome. The German is seeking his second trophy of the season after winning on home soil in Munich last month.

"In the beginning I felt like it was a bit difficult for me and it was really windy," Zverev said. "The wind really calmed down after the first set and then it was easier for me to get in a rhythm and have clean strokes. I am someone who wants to play with power and doesn't have variety as much, so for me when I am hitting the ball cleanly it is a benefit to me and my game."

Daniil Medvedev was also an early winner on Day 5 in the Italian capital, where he dispatched Alexei Popyrin 6-4, 6-1.

Medvedev has fond memories in Rome, having lifted the trophy in 2023. Seeking his first title since then, the 10th seed will take confidence from his dominant win against Popyrin.

The 29-year-old saved six of seven break points he faced, according to Infosys ATP Stats, and committed 16 unforced errors to 28 from Popyrin, who won his maiden Masters 1000 title in Montreal last year.

Medvedev faces Lorenzo Musetti in the fourth round. The Italian recorded his 150th tour-level win with a 6-4, 6-3 victory against Brandon Nakashima.

Musetti is 20-4 on clay since last July, highlighted by winning bronze at the Paris Olympics in 2024 and reaching his first Masters 1000 final in Monte-Carlo in April. Backed by a vocal home crowd on Sunday, Musetti pulled Nakashima from corner to corner with his variety and explosive play.