European Open: Clutch Fils wins back-to-back tiebreakers to upset Tsitsipas in semi-final

Arthur Fils, the No 4 seed, won against Stefanos Tsitsipas, the top seed, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (4) to move into the final of the European Open at the Lotto Arena in Antwerp on Saturday evening.

The win was the Frenchman’s second top five victory of the year, and was built off the back of some sublime tennis. Fils struck 35 winners and committed only eight unforced errors, coming up clutch on big points to win two tight sets in tiebreakers.

Fils, ranked No 38, will play Kazakh Alexander Bublik, the No 3 seed, next.

The 19-year-old Frenchman defeated Estonian wildcard Mark Lajal (7-6 (4), 7-6 (2)) and Peruvian Juan Pablo Varillas, the No 8 seed (6-0, 6-3) earlier in the tournament.

In the previous rounds of the Antwerp Open, Tsitsipas, ranked No 7, beat Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp (7-5, 6-3) and German Yannick Hanfmann, the No 5 seed (6-3, 6-3).

Antwerp ATP250, other semi-final result (Lotto Arena, EUR 673.630):

• Alexander Bublik beat Maximilian Marterer (Q): 6-4, 6-4