Arthur Fils might have been one of the favorites to make a deep run at the US Open. The young Frenchman had been on the rise throughout the year, and his first-round US Open match was against the inconsistent Stefanos Tsitsipas, whose best surface has been on clay.
Still, the Greek player has been slowly trending toward the form that made him a top-10 player for quite a bit of time just two years ago. He is capable of greatness, but no one really expects that from him anymore. That might be about the change, however.
After dropping the opening set to Fils, the 10-seed at the New York major in 2026, 4-6, Tsitsipas, who isn't seeded at the Grand Slam for the first time in nine years, gained quite a bit of confidence by not faltering in the second set and stealing the tie-break 7-3. After that, Fils shockingly seemed done.
Stefanos Tsitsipas upends Arthur Fils in the first round of the US Open
The Frenchman appeared to be struggling physically, possibly from an injury, but more likely tired from the heat and humidity. He played through that just fine on his way to winning the Cincinnati Masters in August and was hoping to ride that momentum into the US Open. That wouldn't last long.
After evening the match at a set apiece, Tsitsipas used a ferocious serve, excellent ability to move around the court, and didn't suffer the same issues with his backhand that have plagued him for a year. Even facing a double break in the final set, he was unfazed.
He took the third set 6-1, ruthless in his construction of points, and keeping Fils on the defensive. In the fourth and final set, Arthur Fils didn't give up even after being broken early. He broke back, but that would be the end of his happiness. Tsitsipas was too much, with too much precision from both wings.
If he continues to play as well as he did in the first round against Fils, he will be a dangerous player for anyone the rest of the way. He and Alexander Zverev were the best two players of their generation not to win a major. Zverev then won the French Open this year. Might Tsitsipas win his first Grand Slam in New York?
Next for Stefanos Tsitsipas in the second round of the US Open is Lloyd Harris. The Greek player should be the heavy favorite, as long as he plays with the same form he had against Fils.
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