Fils sets up blockbuster Alcaraz final after powering past exhausted Mensik
Arthur Fils beat Jakub Mensik 6-4, 7-6 (4) on Friday evening and will face Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, the top seed, in the final
Arthur Fils, Doha 2026 | © Doha Exxson Mobil Open
Arthur Fils secured his place in the Qatar ExxonMobil Open final on Friday evening with a 6-4, 7-6(4) victory over Jakub Mensik, marking a significant milestone in his return from long-term injury.
The 21-year-old Frenchman produced a performance of high intensity to reach his fifth career ATP final in just his third tournament since returning from an eight-month layoff. For Fils, who missed the latter half of 2025 due to a stress fracture in his back, this run represents a remarkable competitive recovery.
Fils’ dominance from the opening games
The level of play displayed at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex was worlds away from his recent quarterfinal defeat in Montpellier, where he appeared physically tentative and managed to earn only six games in a heavy loss to Felix Auger-Aliassime.
With new coach Goran Ivanisevic watching from the box, Fils looked physically robust and tactically sharp throughout the 1 hour and 36 minute contest.
Fils asserted his dominance from the opening games, utilizing his power to push his opponent behind the baseline. The Frenchman broke early and had an immediate opportunity for a double break and a 4-1 lead in the first set. While Mensik managed to hold on, the physical toll of his late-night quarterfinal victory over world No 2 Jannik Sinner was increasingly evident.
Mensik was cooked
The 20-year-old Czech, currently ranked No 16, seemed physically drained by the effort of his career-best win on Thursday. His primary weapon, the serve, faltered under the strain, as he managed only a 59% first-serve percentage – insufficient to keep the aggressive Fils at bay.
The second set followed a similar pattern of French aggression. Fils established a 4-3 lead with a break and looked set to serve out the match comfortably. However, he suffered a brief lapse, losing his serve for the only time in the match to allow Mensik back into the set. Despite the setback, Fils remained composed in the ensuing tiebreak, closing out the match to snap Mensik’s 10-match winning streak.
The victory sets up a first hard-court meeting between Fils and the world No 1 Carlos Alcaraz. The Spaniard leads their head-to-head 2-0, with both previous meetings occurring on clay. As both players seek their first Doha title, the final represents a high-stakes clash between the tournament’s top seed and a revitalized Fils.
