Frenchman Fils makes history in Monte-Carlo

#NextGenATP star Arthur Fils became the youngest Frenchman to record a match win at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters since Richard Gasquet in 2005 on Monday when he cruised past German lucky loser Yannick Hanfmann 6-0, 6-2.

The 19-year-old produced one of his best performances of the season in front of a vocal local crowd to record victory on his debut in the Principality. He hit 11 winners and struck just seven unforced errors according to Infosys ATP Stats to advance 63 minutes in the pair’s first Lexus ATP Head2Head series.

“I watched a lot this tournament on TV. I saw many champions. I’m happy to play here for the first time,” Fils said. “Well, it’s good to play the tournament, but it’s also good to win matches, and I hope I’ll keep coming here in the following years, and I’m sure it’s going to become a milestone in my season.”

Fils, who is currently No. 36 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, performed well on clay last season, winning his maiden tour-level title on the surface in Lyon. After failing to advance beyond the second round at tour-level clay-court events in Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, Santiago and Estoril earlier this year, Fils will hope his victory against Hanfmann can kick start a run.

Fils, 19, is the youngest Frenchman to win a match in the Principality since then-18-year-old Gasquet upset Roger Federer in 2005. Fils will next play Italian Lorenzo Musetti after the Italian beat Taylor Fritz in straight sets on Sunday.

Chilean Alejandro Tabilo reached the second round. The World No. 45 overcame Christopher O’Connell 6-3, 6-4 in one hour and 38 minutes to set a second-round clash against eighth seed Casper Ruud.