Arthur Fils has secured his spot in the final of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open, achieving a noteworthy 6-4, 7-6(4) victory over Jakub Mensik on Friday evening. This win marks a pivotal moment in the 21-year-old French player’s impressive comeback from a lengthy injury layoff, highlighting his determination and skill.
In what was only his third tournament after an eight-month absence due to a stress fracture in his back, Fils has reached his fifth career ATP final. His journey back to competitive tennis has been characterized by a remarkable display of intensity and focus. Fils, who last played in the latter half of 2025, demonstrated a significant turnaround from his earlier quarterfinal defeat in Montpellier, where he struggled physically against Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Competing at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, Fils showcased his strength and tactical prowess for the duration of the match, which lasted 1 hour and 36 minutes. Under the guidance of his new coach, Goran Ivanisevic, he appeared not only physically fit but also strategically sharp throughout the contest.
Fils established control right from the start, using his powerful shots to dictate play. He quickly broke Mensik’s serve and had an opportunity for another break, aiming for a strong 4-1 lead in the first set. Despite Mensik’s efforts to hold on, it was clear that the 20-year-old Czech player was feeling the effects of his previous night’s epic win over world No. 2, Jannik Sinner. Mensik’s serve faltered, highlighted by a mere 59% success rate on his first serves, making it challenging to fend off Fils’ aggressive style.
As the second set unfolded, Fils maintained his momentum, initially breaking to take a 4-3 lead. However, he faced a brief setback when he lost his serve, allowing Mensik a chance to regain footing in the match. Despite this minor lapse, Fils showcased his composure in the tiebreak, ultimately sealing the victory and ending Mensik’s impressive 10-match winning streak.
This win sets up an eagerly anticipated hard-court final against world No. 1, Carlos Alcaraz, with both players vying for their first title in Doha. Historically, Alcaraz leads their past encounters 2-0, with both previous matchups taking place on clay. This high-stakes final will serve as a test of Fils’ recovery and readiness against one of the sport’s elite players, promising an exciting showdown for tennis fans.