Arthur Fils enters 2025 US Open as French No. 1

Arthur Fils will approach the 2025 US Open with greater expectations after winning the biggest title of his career in Cincinnati. The Frenchman is now ranked 11th in the world, leads the French contingent and will compete in New York as the 10th seed. His progress has changed the scale of the challenge and the attention around his campaign.

Fils has reached the tournament twice before, losing in the second round in both 2023 and 2024. This will be only his second Grand Slam appearance since he withdrew before the third round at Roland-Garros in 2025, following his participation at Wimbledon. His opening match offers little time to settle, with former major finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas waiting in the first round.

The draw could remain demanding. A third-round meeting with Jiri Lehecka is possible, and Fils leads their head-to-head record 4-2. Ben Shelton, ranked ninth and also a Masters 1000 champion this season, could follow. Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic or Alexander Zverev may await in the latter stages.

Fils is also carrying a wider French objective. No French player has reached the US Open quarter-finals since Gael Monfils did so in 2019. His Cincinnati triumph gives him momentum, but New York will test whether his rising ranking can translate to the five-set stage.