Miami
Fils saves 4 MPs, stuns Paul in Miami thriller
Frenchman rallies from 2/6 in the deciding-set tie-break
March 26, 2026
Rich Storry/Getty Images
Arthur Fils is the youngest French ATP Masters 1000 semi-finalist since 2007.
By Grant Thompson
Arthur Fils dramatically saved four match points to escape Tommy Paul on Wednesday at the Miami Open presented by Itau.
In one of the matches of the season, the 21-year-old spoiled the hopes of the home favourite Paul 6-7(3), 7-6(4), 7-6(6) to reach his maiden ATP Masters 1000 semi-final. Fils, who was unable to break Paul’s serve throughout the two-hour, 47-minute clash, tallied six consecutive points from 2/6 in the deciding-set tie-break to advance.
“It was a dog fight and I never back down from a fight,” Fils said in his on-court interview. “Even if I lose, it’s okay, I just fought the best that I could.”
What a fighter @ArthurFils is! ❤️@MiamiOpen | #MiamiOpen pic.twitter.com/NfpeLUbE03
— ATP Tour (@atptour) March 26, 2026
The 28th seed produced relentless aggression throughout the night, pummeling the ball harder and harder as the match wore on. Fils entered Wednesday’s match 0-4 in ATP Masters 1000 quarter-finals, including a defeat in that round earlier this month in Indian Wells. By advancing to the last four, Fils became the youngest French ATP Masters 1000 semi-finalist since a 21-year-old Richard Gasquet in 2007 (Paris).
“That’s the best result I’ve had in my life so far,” said Fils. “I will try to do my best in the semis, but now I’m pretty happy.”
In the opening set, Paul dropped just one point behind his first serve while producing a clean baseline performance. Fils’ early aggression resulted in his own demise in crucial moments, including the first-set tie-break, when the Frenchman committed several unforced errors, swinging the momentum in Paul’s favour.
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Fils found his best level again in the second set, unleashing his forehand with intensity. Radiating his usual fierce emotion, Fils and Paul engaged in thrilling rallies over extended stretches of play. The home hope won a lung-busting 29-shot rally in the third game of the the decider, seemingly grabbing the momentum again.
A three-time ATP Tour titlist, Fils did not create a break opportunity until 6-5 in the decider, which doubled as the Frenchman’s first match point. However, Fils misfired a running forehand to let slip that opportunity.
Then, drama ensued. Trailing 2/6 in the final-set tie-break, Fils displayed otherworldly athleticism and shotmaking. Paul had two match points behind his serve, at 6/3 and 6/4, the first of which he lost after sliding to his knees for a backhand volley. The following point, Fils dug out of a defensive position, landing several open-stance backhands to stay in the rally, which ended with a forehand unforced error from Paul.
Watch Fils’ match point saves:
When Fils sealed his unforgettable comeback, he instantly covered his face with his shirt in disbelief before pounding his chest and cracking a large smile towards his team. Fils is unbroken this fortnight, holding serve in all 49 service games.
Up next for Fils is 21st seed Jiri Lehecka, whom the Frenchman leads 2-1 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series. Their most recent meeting came in the Doha quarter-finals last month, which Fils won 6-3, 6-3.