WATCH: Alexander Zverev has a cold handshake with Arthur Fils after a brutal Hamburg Open final

Arthur Fils claims the biggest title of his career, his first ever ATP 500 title.

WATCH: Alexander Zverev has a cold handshake with Arthur Fils after a brutal Hamburg Open final

Alexander Zverev had a cold handshake with Arthur Fils (via Imago/X)

Arthur Fils won the biggest title of his career in Hamburg after a three-and-a-half-hour final against Alexander Zverev. The Frenchman triumphed 6-3, 3-6, 7-6, securing his first ATP 500 title. However, the match was not without controversy.

Tensions escalated during the final set, and the umpire had to intervene. Fils and Zverev clashed when the Frenchman attempted an underarm serve, which was initially called in but later ruled out. The crowd disapproved of Fils’ tactics and cheered his missed serves. Zverev also seemed upset by the underarm serve.

The players had a heated exchange, with Fils approaching Zverev, who was seated courtside. The umpire had to physically separate them, pushing the world no.28 back to his side of the net. Despite the tension, Fils managed to stay focused and won the match in a third-set tiebreak.

FS Video

After the match, Zverev gave Fils a cold handshake at the net. In his post-match interview, the 20-year-old explained that he resorted to underarm serving due to cramping. However, during the post-match ceremony, Zverev congratulated Fils, suggesting they had resolved their dispute.

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Arthur Fils edged home favorite Alexander Zverev to win his biggest title in Hamburg

#NextGenATP tennis titan Arthur Fils played in the biggest match of his young career and won a dramatic final against Alexander Zverev at the Hamburg Open. He defeated the home favorite 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(1) in a thrilling match that lasted three and a half hours. Fils saved 21 out of 22 break points, including five in the final set. He stayed aggressive and saved break points at 4-4 and 5-5 before dominating the tie-break.

Arthur Fils Hamburg Open
Arthur Fils Hamburg Open (via Imago)

The Frenchman fought through cramps late in the match to secure the biggest title of his career. This win gave him his first ATP 500 title. He is now 4-6 against Top 10 players after beating World No. 4 Zverev. This victory was also his first win against the local favorite in three meetings, avenging his losses in Hamburg last year and Halle this season.

With this win, Fils is set to enter the Top 20 in the PIF ATP Rankings for the first time. He already leads the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah. This is his second tour-level title, the first being in Lyon in 2023.

Fils is now the third Hamburg champion under 21 this century, joining Roger Federer and Lorenzo Musetti. Carlos Alcaraz, Rafael Nadal, and Richard Gasquet all finished as runner-ups in Hamburg before they turned 21.

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