Arthur Fils targets bigger titles after Cincinnati win

Arthur Fils has set his sights beyond his breakthrough Masters 1000 success, saying the Cincinnati title should mark the start of a bigger phase in his career. The Frenchman wants to keep improving and add more major trophies, while recognising that reaching that level will demand further work and sacrifice.

Fils defeated Frances Tiafoe 6-3, 1-6, 6-0 in the final to claim his first Masters 1000 crown. The victory adds to a collection that already includes an ATP 250 title in Lyon and ATP 500 wins in Hamburg, Tokyo and Barcelona. He is now ranked 11th in the world.

The achievement completes a significant recovery for Fils, who missed competition from after last year’s French Open until February because of a stress fracture in his back. He said the injury changed his approach, encouraging him to make more considered decisions and accept the sacrifices needed to progress. His Cincinnati triumph followed a final in which he lost control in the second set before recovering decisively in the decider.

The US Open begins next week, with Fils listed as the No. 10 seed because Jannik Sinner is absent. He has reached the second week of a Grand Slam only once, at Wimbledon last year, and will now take that experience into the final major of the season.