Two years after an all-American final, the Japan Open will witness a French showdown between Ugo Humbert and Arthur Fils. Humbert, 26, and Fils, 20, have had similar seasons, with Humbert winning two titles and Fils claiming one.
Humbert’s strengths lie in his lefty serve and ability to hit the ball flat and through the court. Fils, on the other hand, relies on a topspin-heavy baseline attack. Despite their contrasting styles, Humbert has won all three previous encounters against Fils.
Humbert’s 6-0 record in finals suggests he can maintain his momentum once he gets going. However, Fils has shown resilience in Tokyo, defeating top seed Taylor Fritz and Holger Rune in tiebreakers.
Fils’s recent marathon matches may have taken a toll on his body, as he experienced cramps in his quads during his victory over Rune. Humbert, who also faced a three-set battle in the semifinals, could also be feeling some fatigue.
Despite his underdog status, Fils remains optimistic. “We like this position, especially in the final,” he said. “So let’s see how it [will] go.”
