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Arthur Fils and Hamad Medjedovic will compete in the Next Gen ATP Finals title clash in Jeddah. Fils and Medjedovic have shown the most this week, winning all eight matches and arranging an entertaining final. The top seed defeated Luca Van Assche in an all-French semi-final duel, earning a 2-4, 4-1, 4-3, 4-3 triumph in an hour and 37 minutes.
Van Assche took the opener before Fils raised his level, dominating the second set and winning the pivotal points in the third and fourth to emerge at the top and remain on the title course. Arthur fired nine aces and dominated behind the first serve.
Luca played better behind the second serve, and they both converted one out of three break points. The better-ranked player landed 26 service winners and added 24 direct points and 22 unforced errors, keeping the points on his racquet.
Both players served well in the opening four games, staying neck and neck at 2-2 after 12 minutes.
Arthur Fils and Hamad Medjedovic will seek the Next Gen ATP Finals crown in Jeddah.
Van Assche took charge from the baseline in the fifth game, taking an extended rally and earning a break after Fils' forehand error.
Luca served for the opener at 3-2 and forced Arthur's mistake, wrapping up the set in 20 minutes. The top seed grabbed a break at 2-1 in the second set, forging the advantage and firing an ace in the next one for a hold at 15 and 4-1.
Van Assche served well in the third set and earned two set points on the return at 3-2. Fils denied them and produced a crucial hold that introduced a tie break. With a boost on his side, Arthur grabbed three mini-breaks and moved 5-0 in front.
He clinched the breaker 7-1 after Luca's loose backhand for two sets to one advantage after an hour and seven minutes. There was nothing for the returners to work with in the fourth set's opening five games, with Van Assche serving to stay in the match at 2-3.
Luca landed a backhand winner in the decisive point, saving a set point and introducing a tie break. Fils created two set points at 6-4 and missed a routine forehand on the second, bringing Van Assche to 6-6. Arthur seized the fourth match point at 7-6 after Luca's wayward backhand, celebrating a place in the title clash.
Hamad Medjedovic will challenge Fils in Saturday's final, with Dominic Stricker retiring due to a back injury while trailing 4-3, 2-1. Hamad and Dominic stayed neck and neck in the opener, dominating with the first serve and introducing a tie break.
After ten consecutive points on serve, Hamad grabbed a mini-break at 5-5 and painted a backhand crosscourt winner in the next one, wrapping up the set in 22 minutes. Feeling physical issues, the Swiss lost serve in the second set's third game after the Serb's two return winners, retiring and propelling Medjedovic into the title clash.