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With the exception of ATP World No. 1 Jannik Sinner‘s win, it was a wild day of unexpected happenings at the 2026 Italian Open, and part of the unpredictability centered around Arthur Fils.
Fils played just 22 minutes, losing four games of his match before retiring. Fans were confused and concerned.
After the match, Fils explained what was going on.
MORE: Sorana Cirstea stuns Aryna Sabalenka at Italian Open
He is understandably being cautious and conservative as we get closer to his home slam, Roland Garros.
Fils had to retire from the French Open last year. That’s when his back problem began to manifest. It cost him the rest of the season.
Mar 25, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Arthur Fils of France reacts against Tommy Paul of the United States after beating him in the quarter finals of the men’s singles at the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images
Fils has been tremendous in his 2026 return and has been considered a French Open contender. Hopefully his physical issue is minor.
MORE: What we learned from Novak Djokovic’s loss in Rome
Sabalenka’s loss to Sorana Cirstea and defending champion Jasmine Paolini’s early exit from her home tennis tournament were among the bizarre activities of the day.
Daniil Medvedev got a walkover. Ben Shelton, who was having a great European clay swing with the BMW Open win, was upset. Joao Fonseca and Felix Auger-Aliassime also lost.
Expect the unexpected seems to be the mantra as the 2026 Italian Open rolls on with women’s doubles starting on Sunday. Keep an eye out for the widely anticipated “McCoco” return, the reunion of Coco Gauff and Caty McNally, and an intriguing new team of Anna Kalinskaya and Iva Jovic. On the men’s side, all-American doubles teams of Tommy Paul and Ethan Quinn and Alex Michelsen and Learner Tien should make for entertaining tennis viewing when they hit the court on Monday.
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Fils played just 22 minutes, losing four games of his match before retiring. Fans were confused and concerned.
After the match, Fils explained what was going on.
MORE: Sorana Cirstea stuns Aryna Sabalenka at Italian Open
Fils experienced hip pain
He is understandably being cautious and conservative as we get closer to his home slam, Roland Garros.
Fils had to retire from the French Open last year. That’s when his back problem began to manifest. It cost him the rest of the season.
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Mar 25, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Arthur Fils of France reacts against Tommy Paul of the United States after beating him in the quarter finals of the men’s singles at the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images
Fils has been tremendous in his 2026 return and has been considered a French Open contender. Hopefully his physical issue is minor.
MORE: What we learned from Novak Djokovic’s loss in Rome
Other Italian Open Saturday oddities
Sabalenka’s loss to Sorana Cirstea and defending champion Jasmine Paolini’s early exit from her home tennis tournament were among the bizarre activities of the day.
Daniil Medvedev got a walkover. Ben Shelton, who was having a great European clay swing with the BMW Open win, was upset. Joao Fonseca and Felix Auger-Aliassime also lost.
Doubles kicks off on Sunday
Expect the unexpected seems to be the mantra as the 2026 Italian Open rolls on with women’s doubles starting on Sunday. Keep an eye out for the widely anticipated “McCoco” return, the reunion of Coco Gauff and Caty McNally, and an intriguing new team of Anna Kalinskaya and Iva Jovic. On the men’s side, all-American doubles teams of Tommy Paul and Ethan Quinn and Alex Michelsen and Learner Tien should make for entertaining tennis viewing when they hit the court on Monday.
Continue reading...
