Arthur Fils backed as US Open title contender

Arthur Fils enters the US Open with a serious case for the title after Mats Wilander identified him as one of the leading contenders. The Frenchman has earned that status in a tournament missing world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, while Carlos Alcaraz is returning from injury.

Fils secured his first Masters 1000 trophy in Cincinnati and has produced a consistent season outside the Grand Slams. Wilander places him in a group of six potential winners alongside Alexander Zverev, Novak Djokovic, Alcaraz, Ben Shelton and Taylor Fritz.

His record at the majors remains limited. Fils has reached the second week only once and has played relatively little Grand Slam tennis because of injuries. Wilander believes that lack of experience should not be treated as a major weakness, since there have been too few appearances to draw a firm conclusion about his level in those events.

The best-of-five-set format could also work in Fils’ favour, in Wilander’s view. Longer matches may give the Frenchman more time to find his rhythm and impose his game. His Cincinnati breakthrough and the uncertainty around the leading names have therefore placed Fils among the players with a genuine opportunity in New York.