Arthur Fils beats Frances Tiafoe in Tokyo Top 10 clash

Arthur Fils beat world No. 8 Frances Tiafoe 6-3, 7-5 in the second round of the Japan Open in Tokyo. The French star, ranked No. 9, extended his perfect head-to-head record against the American to 3-0 in a match that marked only the second time since 1990 that two Top 10 players have met this early in an ATP event.

Fils broke serve at 3-2 in the first set and made the decisive break at 5-5 in the second. He served 10 aces and won 80% of points behind his first serve. The 22-year-old, who is the defending champion in Tokyo, has now won seven consecutive matches at the tournament. He had to enter via qualifying after missing the entry deadline.

Fils sets up quarterfinal with Vacherot

Arthur Fils will face Valentin Vacherot in the quarterfinals. The Monégasque player, seeded eighth and ranked world No. 18, stunned Stefanos Tsitsipas in a dramatic three-set comeback, winning 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4. That victory propelled Vacherot to No. 17 in the live rankings and secured his second career ATP 500-level quarterfinal.

Vacherot had earlier beaten Alexander Blockx 7-6 (2), 7-6 (4) in the first round. Tsitsipas, ranked No. 44, had advanced by defeating Tomas Martin Etcheverry 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Fils’ form and credentials continue to rise

The win over Tiafoe adds to Fils' growing collection of big victories in 2024, bringing his total of Top 10 wins for the year to five. He previously beat Tiafoe in the Cincinnati final, winning 6-3, 1-6, 6-0. This consistent performance against elite opposition is solidifying his status as a permanent Top 10 contender.

Fils began his Tokyo campaign with a 6-3, 6-2 win over compatriot Luca Van Assche. He is now eyeing another deep run to defend his 2024 title. Arthur Fils noted the rarity of the early-round showdown, saying, "It was only the second time since 1990 that two Top 10 players had met as early as the second round of an event." The prior instance was in 1992 when Ivan Lendl, ranked No. 6, beat Goran Ivanisevic, ranked No. 10, in Brussels.

Other notable results from the Tokyo draw

Frenchman Kyrian Jacquet continued his impressive run, reaching the quarterfinals with a 6-3, 7-6 (5) upset of world No. 19 Luciano Darderi. The world No. 86 had earlier ended Holger Rune's first Tour event since an Achilles injury with a commanding 6-3, 6-1 first-round victory. This marks Jacquet's third ATP Tour quarterfinal.

He will next face Spanish qualifier Jaume Munar, who advanced comfortably past Jaime Faria 6-1, 6-1. Munar, ranked 64th, is enjoying a strong season, with this representing his fourth quarterfinal appearance. He earned his place in the second round by upsetting American Taylor Fritz 6-7 (7), 6-4, 6-3.

In other first-round action, Tiafoe had beaten Kei Nishikori 6-4, 6-4, while Darderi's opener was a 7-6 (3), 6-3 win over Casper Ruud. Arthur Fils will face Valentin Vacherot in the quarterfinals for a spot in the final four of the Japan Open in Tokyo.