By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Saturday May 27, 2023
18-year-old Arthur Fils became the lowest-ranked title winner on the ATP Tour by defeating Francisco Cerundolo for the Lyon title.
Photo Source: TTV
A breakout season for Arthur Fils continues to gain steam.
The 18-year-old Frenchman turned a Lyon wild card into his maiden ATP title this week, capping off a brilliant week with a 6-3, 7-5 triumph over Francisco Cerundolo to become the lowest-ranked ATP titlist of 2023.
The World No. 112, the 2021 Roland-Garros boys’ singles runner-up, improves to 10-3 at ATP level this season and will rise to a career-high ranking of No.63 in Monday’s rankings. Fils started the season outside the Top 250, but has gone 24-9 across all levels in 2023, winning a challenger title and reaching back-to-back ATP semifinals at Montpellier and Marseille in February.
"I will remember this forever," Fils said. "It has been a great week. It has been amazing. I am happy with the win and now I want more.”
The French teen will head to Paris where he is slated to take on Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich in his Grand Slam debut at Roland-Garros.
Fils joins Wu Yibing and Tallon Griekspoor as the ATP’s third first-time winner of 2023.