Arthur Fils’ back problems began before he was supposed to face Andrey Rublev in round three of the 2025 French Open.
The Frenchman has come back like gangbusters in 2026 and will go up against Rublev in the final of the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell on Sunday afternoon.
Fils is 17-5 this season, including 15-3 in his last 18 matches. This hot streak includes a runner-up performance in Doha (lost to Carlos Alcaraz), a quarterfinal finish in Indian Wells, and a semifinal showing in Miami. The 21-year-old Frenchman almost lost right away this week, but he saved two match points against compatriot Terence Atmane in round one and the rest is history. Fils made quick work of Brandon Nakashima and Lorenzo Musetti before overcoming red-hot Spaniard Rafael Jodar 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 in the semis.
Sunday marks the third meeting between Fils and Rublev. They split their two previous encounters, with Rublev prevailing 6-4, 1-6, 6-2 at the 2024 Hong Kong event and Fils cruising 6-2, 6-3 last spring in Monte-Carlo.
For Rublev, this result is a bit more surprising. The 15th-ranked Russian was just 11-7 for his 2026 campaign prior to arriving in Barcelona, but he finds himself in the title match thanks to wins over Mariano Navone, Lorenzo Sonego, Tomas Machac, and Hamad Medjedovic. Rublev certainly benefited from Alcaraz’s withdrawal, which gave Machac a free pass to the quarterfinals.
Fils is in incredible form right now and dominated their only previous clay-court matchup, so he has to like his chances of lifting the trophy.
Pick: Fils in 2