#NextGenATP Fils downs defending champ Shelton to reach Tokyo SF

There will be a new champion crowned in Tokyo after #NextGenATP star Arthur Fils muscled his way past defending champion Ben Shelton in a gripping quarter-final clash at the Kinoshita Group Japan Open Tennis Championships. 

The 20-year-old brought some of his most ruthless tennis to edge past the explosive American, claiming a 7-5, 6-7(5), 7-6(2) victory in three hours. Both players were forced to battle through cramp in their bid to reach the last four, but it was the Frenchman who held his nerve. 

What. A. Match… ?

Fils cements his spot in the semis with a 7-5 6-7 7-6(2) win against Shelton after a phenomenal battle from both ?@japanopentennis | #kinoshitajotennis pic.twitter.com/dn5150vXVl

Fils’ punishing groundstrokes were on full display under the lights as he crushed 58 winners en route to a statement triumph, setting an eagerly anticipated semi-final clash with Holger Rune, who saved a match point to outlast home favourite Kei Nishikori.

With their Lexus ATP Head2Head series level at 1-1, their upcoming clash in the Japanese capital will be the first meeting on hard courts.

Earlier, Tomas Machac breezed past #NextGenATP talent Alex Michelsen, showing promising signs in his first event of the Asian swing. With a stylish 7-6(2), 6-3 triumph, Machac is into his second ATP Tour semi-final in Tokyo.

Machac struck 34 winners according to Infosys ATP Stats throughout their one hour and 35 minute clash, eventually outlasting Michelsen in the baseline exchanges. The Czech also fired eight aces, won 88 per cent of first-serve points and faced just one break point.

It was a commanding performance that was reflective of his ascent to No. 34 in the PIF ATP Rankings, backing up strong wins against Alexei Popyrin and Tommy Paul earlier in the week.

Michelsen, however, still occupies second place in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah and finds himself in a solid position to secure a spot at the Next Gen ATP Finals for a second consecutive year.

In the last four, Machac will face off against Ugo Humbert after Jack Draper was forced to retire from their clash with the Frenchman leading 7-5, 2-1.

The 22-year-old, who produced an inspired run to the US Open semi-finals earlier this month, took a medical timeout for an abdominal injury, but it was ultimately to no avail as he called time on their first Lexus ATP Head2Head contest.

Humbert is into his 16th ATP Tour semi-final, bidding to clinch his third title of 2024 after wins in Marseille and Dubai propelled him to a career-high of No. 13 in the PIF ATP Rankings.

[NEWSLETTER FORM]