ATP Tour

Resurgent Tsitsipas strikes 50 winners to halt in-form Fils at US Open

Stefanos Tsitsipas summoned his big-stage pedigree on Monday at the US Open, where he overcame in-form 10th seed Arthur Fils 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-1, 6-4 in a thrilling first-round battle.

In an absorbing clash on Louis Armstrong Stadium, Tsitsipas rallied from a set and a break down, weathering an explosive start from Fils before unleashing his own forehand firepower. The Greek, who is competing as an unseeded player for the first time in his US Open career after a tough 12 months, will next meet qualifier Lloyd Harris in his resurgence.

Fils arrived in New York riding a six-match winning streak after capturing the ATP Masters 1000 title in Cincinnati eight days ago, but he was unable to contain Tsitsipas, who produced the level required to claim a statement victory after two hours, 54 minutes.

“I am speechless, I don't know what to say,” Tsitsipas said in his on-court interview. “It’s an amazing start to the tournament. Guys, you had my back through the entire match, thank you so much.”

After a difficult period in which injuries and form hampered Tsitsipas through the back end of 2025 and the start of this season, the Greek has begun to rediscover his rhythm. He ended a 16-month title drought in Gstaad last month, and on Monday he showed he may be ready to make another run on the biggest stage.

Fils took a 5-0 Lexus ATP Head2Head lead into their first-round clash, aiming to continue the form that helped him light up Cincinnati to win the biggest title of his career. But Tsitsipas, playing with the freedom and level-headedness that he once used to reach No. 3 in the PIF ATP Rankings and two Grand Slam finals, turned the match on its head to score a statement win.

Although Fils produced plenty of stunning plays, it was Tsitsipas who ended with 50 winners to the Frenchman’s 38 en route to setting a second-round meeting with South African Harris, who overcame #NextGenATP American Jack Kennedy on Sunday.