In the middle of a tense, erratic start to a rain-delayed semi-final day in Cincinnati, Arthur Fils found himself locked in defence and miles behind the baseline on his serve at 3-3. He scurried from sideline to sideline, lunging toward the ball at full stretch, seemingly with no real chance of turning things around. As Flavio Cobolli swept to the net with the intention of finishing Fils off, however, the Italian soon learned that his opponent had another gear to reach. From far wide of the court, Fils pulverised a forehand passing shot winner beyond his astounded opponent, drawing a roar from the crowd.<\/p>\n
That one point alone provided evidence of the athleticism, explosiveness and sheer audacity that have long marked Fils as such a rare, exciting talent, and it also set the tone for a monumental victory. From that moment onwards, Fils took control of the match and he marched into his first Masters 1000 final at the Cincinnati Open with a supreme performance, defeating Cobolli, the No 7 seed, 6-3, 6-4.<\/p>\n
Fils has now reached a final, two semi-finals and two other quarter-finals in his five completed Masters 1000 tournaments this year. He also won his fourth title at the Barcelona Open 500 event and he has won four of his last six matches against top 10 opponents. As he seeks his first Masters 1000, he now sits at No 6 in the race to the ATP Finals. He will rise to a career high ranking of No 11.<\/p>\n
Fils has played some incredible tennis this year, and it is far from surprising for such a talented 22-year-old player taking the next step in his career. His problem, simply, is how infrequently he has been able to play. In spring last year, Fils suffered a stress fracture in his back that forced him to retire from Roland Garros, his home grand slam tournament, and essentially sidelined him for nine months. During his time away, Fils made countless changes to his game, including altering his forehand and serve technique, learning how to slide into his backhand on hard courts and dropping weight.<\/p>\n
He returned to competition a far better player, producing the best tennis of his career early in his comeback. However, just as it seemed like he had found his way back, his body betrayed him again. A week after his run to the Madrid Open semi-final, Fils suffered a hip injury at the beginning of his opening round match at the Italian Open that forced him to again withdraw from Roland Garros. His performances this season showed beyond doubt that he was capable of achieving great things, but it remained unclear if his body would allow it. \u201cI was feeling great, but you just got to take it,\u201d he said. \u201cSome things are happening for a purpose. It\u2019s OK.\u201d<\/p>\n
Flavio Cobolli stretches during his straight sets defeat against Arthur Fils in the Cincinnati Open. Photograph: Wally Nell\/ZUMA Press Wire\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n
Fils\u2019 minimal preparation was reflected in his second-round loss at Wimbledon. After that, it was again time for him to rebuild his form, level and physicality. As at the beginning of the season, it is a reflection of Fils\u2019 talent that it has taken him no time at all to find his best level again. One of the most impressive aspects of these comebacks have been the positivity he has maintained throughout. \u201cIf I\u2019m sad, there is no way I can make it,\u201d he said. \u201cIf I\u2019m positive, then I give myself a shot, at least. When I\u2019m sad, if I\u2019m going crying into my bed, there is no way I can wake up and play some good tennis. If I\u2019m going happy and blessed that now I\u2019m able to play tennis, then after, it\u2019s working well.\u201d<\/p>\n
In his last three matches, dominant straight sets wins over the fifth seed, Alex de Minaur, Thiago Agust\u00edn Tirante, Novak Djokovic\u2019s conqueror, and Cobolli, Fils\u2019s level has been immaculate. In terms of its immense speed and wicked spin, his forehand is the heaviest groundstroke in the game. He has spent the past 10 days demolishing the ball off both wings and dominating the baseline while also serving well, moving spectacularly and maintaining his composure. At his best, Fils is also one of the most charismatic and extroverted players on the tour, but part of his development has been adopting a more composed approach.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m a bit less crazy,\u201d he said. \u201cMiami was nice, I was in the semis, but I lost so much energy in this tournament. I was screaming \u2018Come on\u2019, \u2018Vamos\u2019 after every point. Now here it\u2019s completely different. And I think also when you do it, you start to do it a couple of times, the tournaments, those big runs, then you start to get a bit used to [it], and you don\u2019t need anymore to go crazy, to pump yourself. I think I\u2019m already pumped enough, especially with my team also. They are very pumped, so I don\u2019t need to go that crazy anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n
A first-time Masters 1000 champion will be crowned on Sunday after Frances Tiafoe defeated the in-form Brandon Nakashima 7-5, 6-3 to reach the Cincinnati Open final for the second time in three years. The final between Fils and Tiafoe will also be the first ever ATP Masters 1000 final between two black players.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the ultra-strong women\u2019s tournament has been defined by the very best players in the world. The third seed Jessica Pegula narrowly edged out the in-form Iga Swiatek in one of the most memorable matches of the year, returning to the final for the second time in three years with a stellar 7-5, 4-6, 6-4 win.<\/p>\n
Jessica Pegula plays a backhand in her win over Iga Swiatek. Photograph: Wally Nell\/ZUMA Press Wire\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n
Pegula had trailed 1-3 in the final set before brilliantly elevating her level and winning five of the final six games. \u201cJust really happy with the way I was able to handle just a lot that was going on today,\u201d Pegula siad. \u201cIt was a lot of back and forth, and I think I did a good job no matter what was happening, just staying focused on what I wanted to do to win the match.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pegula, the third seed, will face her good friend and former doubles partner Coco Gauff in the final after Gauff, the fourth seed, efficiently ended the breakthrough run of Sara Bejlek with a 6-4, 6-1 win.<\/p>\n