New York (AFP) – Serious outsider at the US Open after his recent coronation at the Masters 1000 in Cincinnati, French No.1 Arthur Fils was eliminated on Monday upon entering the fray in New York by Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas 4-6, 7-6 (7/3), 6-1, 6-4.

Published on: 08/31/2026 - 8:21 p.m.

Well into the match, the world number 11 led 6-4, 5-2 but was nevertheless overthrown by the former world number 3, double finalist in Grand Slam tournaments, falling to 53rd in the ATP rankings.

Extremely successful in Masters 1000, the most prestigious tournaments on the ATP circuit, the 22-year-old from Esson ended a disappointing year in Grand Slam on Monday.

After withdrawing from the Australian Open and Roland-Garros due to injuries, Arthur Fils lost in the second round of Wimbledon in July.

For his first match since his title in Cincinnati, where he became the first Frenchman in 12 years to win a Masters 1000, the Ile-de-France native broke Tsitsipas at 5-4 in the first set to claim the first set.

Son, who had not lost any of his first five matches against Stefanos Tsitsipas, then broke away to lead 3-0, 4-1 then 5-2 in the second act. But Tsitsipas managed to break the break at 5-3, while his opponent served to lead two sets to nothing.

Pushed into a tie-break, Son quickly fell behind the Greek, before completely foiling in the third set, where he showed some signs of helplessness.

Broken at the start of the fourth set, the Frenchman resumed the challenge of Tsitsipas immediately, but immediately lost his serve, and this time did not manage to make up for his delay, losing in less than three hours.

His best Grand Slam result therefore remains at this stage the round of 16 reached at Wimbledon in 2024. At the US Open, he has never progressed beyond the second round in three appearances.

Tsitsipas, who had not beaten a member of the top 20 in a Grand Slam for more than three years, will face South African Lloyd Harris (139th) in the second round.

© 2026 AFP

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