Arthur Fils has finally returned from a back injury and looked good in his opening match at the Open Occitanie on Tuesday. The 21-year-old Frenchman defeated compatriot Valentin Royer 7-6(7), 6-7(4), 6-2 in two hours and 32 minutes.
With a match under his belt, Fils should only be getting better and better as his week in Montpellier progresses.
Up next for the former world No. 14 on Thursday is world No. 174 Ugo Blanchet. The 27-year-old needed a lucky-loser spot in the main draw after falling in qualifying at the hands of Titouan Droguet. Blanchet made the most of his chance by beating doubles specialist Andrea Vavassori in the first round, but Fils is an entirely different beast.
Pick: Fils in 2